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"NEW
DAWN" By Cecil Bridgewater
A composition for symphony orchestra and soloist was commissioned in 1990 by the
Cleveland Chamber Symphony, Ed London conductor. The composition was first premiered at
the Karamu House in Cleveland and then at the University of Illinois, Urbana, as part of
the Black History Month celebration. In January, 1999 it was included in a celebration of
Dr. Martin Luther King's birthday by the Westchester Philharmonic at Purchase, NY with
Cecil's quartet.
"I made a trip to Dakar, Senegal in December of 1986 to participate in
"FESTPACK," a festival of music from around the world. I was very impressed with
the music I heard from Brazil, Jamaica and of course, Senegal. Especially memorable is the
music of the Senegalese drummers and music played on a stringed instrument called the
"KORA." One of the concerts was on an island just off the coast of Dakar called
Goree. On this island there is a building they call "LA MAISON DES ESCLAVES" -
THE HOUSE OF SLAVES. This house was used as a holding place for many of the Africans that
were transported by ship to the Americas during the slave trade. When they left this house
they passed through a door known as the "DOOR OF NO RETURN." As we left Goree
that night, I had a strange chill come over me as I imagined what must have gone through
their minds as they passed through this door for places unknown. In August of 1989 I
participated in an International Festival in Brazil which brought me even closer to the
sounds of Brazilian music.
"NEW DAWN" is my musical impression of Senegal and Brazil. In the first
section, I've tried to incorporate some of the sounds of the KORA and rhythms of the
Senegalese drummers, the middle section tries to convey the trip from Africa to the
Americas and the final section consists of my impressions of Brazil."
by Cecil Bridgewater
THE CHAMPAIGN-URBANA
NEWS-GAZETTE
By Rich Warren
Symphony season opens
with a stunning program
The Champaign-Urbana Symphony opened its 1991-92 season Thursday night
with an event rather than just another performance.
Bridgewater as trumpet soloist in his own work, "New
Dawn," fought against being anti-climactic. The piece began with an enticing melange
of percussion effects against the muted trumpet, which breaks wildly into an African
influenced jazz theme. The work contained many interesting musical ideas, but lacked
direction and cohesiveness.
Bridgewater produced a tantalizing range of tonalities from his
trumpet, demonstrating his excellent musicianship. The trumpet section replied in kind.
Harpist Alice Keene evoked the sound of the African Kora on her harp. |
THE PLAIN DEALER
(CLEVELAND, OH)
By Wilma Salisbury
Listeners travel down
adventurous new music trails
Jazz artist Bridgewater brought the concert to a colorful conclusion with
"New Dawn," a musical trip to Senegal and Brazil. In his jazz travelogue, the
smooth trumpeter, composer suggested the atmosphere of Africa with jungle rhythms,
evocations of primitive string instruments and antiphonal singing for trumpet and
orchestra. A melodic section dealt with the journey of slave ships to America. The largest
part of the piece documented the composer's impressions of Brazil with commercial pop
music more appropriate for nightclub than a serious concert.
The lighthearted nature of the score was a relief after the heavier
pieces on the program, though and Bridgewater gave a fine improvisatory performance with
the assistance of (Ed) London and the orchestra. |
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