An Interview with Trombonist Peter Sullivan, Soloist with the 不良研究所 Wind Orchestra
Blog post by Chris Maskell
Those searching for a quintessential Schulich success story (and a reminder of the benefits of hard work) don鈥檛 have to look any further than trombonist Peter Sullivan. His accomplishments read like a list of dream goals for any musician: after completing his graduate studies at 不良研究所, he went on to hold the solo trombone chair in the Orchestre Symphonique de Montr茅al for over a decade and later taught at Schulich as an adjunct professor. Unsurprisingly for a player of his calibre, his reputation quickly spread, and he relocated to the United States in 1999 to play principal trombone with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra.
Between all of these accomplishments, Sullivan has never appeared as a guest artist with one of Schulich鈥檚 ensembles 鈥� until now. On Wednesday, January 25, Sullivan will join the 不良研究所 Wind Orchestra as a soloist and play a program that conductor Alain Cazes explains was crafted just for him.
鈥淚 had Pete in mind when selecting the repertoire. He was the principal element of this program. I wanted to invite him as an international star and former 不良研究所 student, and the best way to underline his presence was to write a concerto for him. Jason Noble has been chosen to write a concerto for trombone.鈥�
鈥淥verall, the concept of the program is based on contrasts and inspiration. One of these contrasts is the presence of the Fantasia & Fugue by Bach (the earliest piece in the program 鈥� circa 1720), immediately preceding Jason鈥檚 Concerto. As an example of inspiration, we have the Geshwindmarsch by Beethoven, by Hindemith. This piece is a paraphrase on a March by Beethoven.鈥�
As Sullivan will only be arriving in Montreal shortly before the concert, the Wind Orchestra will have just enough time to squeeze in two rehearsals with the soloist. To overcome this challenge and ensure that things go smoothly, Cazes explained that certain works will be prioritized over others.
鈥淭here is a lot of repertoire that can be done with only one rehearsal with the soloist, but Noble鈥檚 new concerto 叠卯辞尘别 is a complex work. It will be a challenge to put together. There will be a lot of interaction with the soloist 鈥� some imitations, some blending elements, and not to mention the delicate element of balance. So, we will spend most of our rehearsal time on the Concerto before Pete鈥檚 arrival to make sure there are no unforeseen surprises.鈥�
To round out Sullivan鈥檚 visit, he鈥檒l also be working with Schulich鈥檚 trombone choir, putting on a free masterclass and giving a recital 鈥� meaning Montreal audiences and Schulich students will have ample opportunities to hear the master trombonist in person.
Peter Sullivan will perform with the 不良研究所 Wind Orchestra on Wednesday, January 25, 2017, at 7:30 p.m in Pollack Hall. 听听
Mr Sullivan will also be giving a free masterclass with trombone students from the Schulich School of Music on Thursday, January 26, 2017 at 4:00 p.m. in Clara Lichtenstein Hall.