Rome or Bust

April, 2004

Andrew Earle Simpson was commissioned to write a chamber music in response to an art exhibit at the Cedar Rapids Museum of Art called Art in Roman Life: Villa to Grave. A work titled Tesserae: 5 Mosaics of Ancient Rome was premiered in April in a Roman Villa constructed in the gallery of the Museum.

Andrew Simpson’s Tesserae: Six Mosaics of Ancient Rome was commissioned by the Cedar Rapids Museum of Art with support from the American Composers Forum and the Museum Loan Network. This new composition and Rome or Bust! are the fruits of a collaboration with the Cedar Rapids Museum of Art and are inspired by the Museum’s spectacular Art in Roman Life: Villa to Grave exhibit. Special thanks to curator Jane Milosch, Executive Director Terence Pitts, Education Director Suanne Huffman, and the museum staff.

The Red Cedar Trio
Jan Boland, flute
David Miller, viola
John Dowdall, guitar

Friday , April 16 and
Saturday, April 17, 2004
8 p.m.
Presented in collaboration with the
Cedar Rapids Museum of Art. Sponsored by the D.C. Taylor Company with additional support form the American Composer’s Forum, the Museum Loan Network and The Gazette.

Concert Schedule:

• December 3, 2003 (Wednesday) Preview of Tesserae at Cedar Rapids BeethovenClub with Jan Boland, John Dowdall and violist Christine Rutledge.

• Feb 2-13, 2004 Two-week reidency at Polk Elementary School in Cedar Rapids featuring Tesserae by Andrew Early Simpson. With Christine Rutledge and Catherine Miller.

• April 14, 2004 (Wednesday). Educational event Rome or Bust!.

• April 14, 2004 (Wednesday) Rural Outreach Concert at Buck Creek Methodist Church, Buck Creek, IA.

• April 15, 2004 (Thursday) Rural Outreach Concert at Starlighters Theater in Anamosa, IA.

• April 16-17, 2004 (Friday-Saturday) Main-Stage Concert at the Cedar Rapids Museum of Art, Cedar Rapids, IA. Rome or Bust!

• April 17, 2004 (Saturday) A Family concert at the Cedar Rapids Museum of Art, Cedar Rapids, IA. Rome or Bust!

• October 3, 2009 (Saturday) Concert at Catholic University in Washington D.C.

• October 4, 2009 (Sunday) Concert at Walters Art Museum in Baltimore, MD.

The Program

Grand Trio Concertant Op. 30 François Molino(1768-1847)


*Tesserae:Six Mosaics of Ancient Rome Andrew Earle Simpson
insights


*Tesserae:Six Mosaics of Ancient Rome Andrew Earle Simpson
The Emperor Caracalla
Geta, The Youth
The Syrian Woman
Banqueting Music
Funeral March & Oration
Coda - Apotheosis

World Premiere

Ecloghe (1966) Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco

Audience Comments:
Rome or Bust, April 2004

“O m-gosh! Words fail me. You are all quite marvelous.”

“As always, this was a delightful concert – light, diversified, melodic. I especially found the insights to “Tesserae” so very helpful. It made listening to the music so very enjoyable. As musicians, you are spectacular. Thank you. Jan, you make playing the flute look so simple and graceful.” B.C.

“I consider you all excellent musicians. This was a particularly intriguing program.” M.M.

“ Enjoyed the concert immensely. J.C.

“What struck me while listening to Mr. Simpson's new work was what a difference it makes to have it played by first class musicians, like yourselves. In the hands of masters, it came off just as the composer intended. I really appreciated the insights prior to performance of that piece." G.S.