WGUC 90.9 FM | Commissions

WGUC and CSO Commission Five Anniversary Fanfares

WGUC's on-going commitment to new music is unique in the public radio industry. Cincinnati's Classical Public Radio is the only station in the country with an ongoing music commissioning program. This creative effort began in 1980 under the leadership of Ann Santen. WGUC has since commissioned 22 new works; John Harbison's Six American Painters was premiered by the Linton Chamber Music Series in 2002. And Maestro Carmon DeLeone, music director for the Cincinnati Ballet, composed Fanfare, Funk & Fandango (An American Dance Set) in commemoration of WGUC's 40th anniversary.

In 2010, in celebration of its 50th Anniversary and Paavo Järvi’s 10th anniversary season, WGUC is joining the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra to commission five fanfares by prominent composers from across the globe. The anniversary fanfares will be composed by some of Paavo's closest friends and collaborators and premiered by the CSO next season. The commissions are supported by Ann and Harry Santen.

“With WGUC’s tradition of commissioning new music and the CSO’s history of commissioning Aaron Copland’s Fanfare for the Common Man, the Anniversary Fanfare commissions provide a perfect musical collaboration for celebrating both WGUC’s 50th Anniversary and Paavo Jarvi’s 10th Anniversary season,” said Richard Eiswerth, President and General Manager of 90.9 WGUC. “We thank Ann and Harry Santen for making the Anniversary Fanfare commissions possible.”

Here is the schedule for the Anniversary Fanfare premieres. Don't miss the unveiling of these miniature musical masterpieces!

	January 28 & 29, 2011: Fanfare by Jonathan Holland
	February 2 & 5, 2011: Fanfare by Jorg Widmann
	March 25 & 26, 2011: Fanfare by Stewart Goodyear
	May 6 & 7, 2011: Fanfare by Charles Coleman
	May 13 & 14, 2011: Fanfare by Erkki-Sven Tuur

WGUC Commission Premiered by Cincinnati Ballet

Cincinnati Ballet premiered Fanfare, Funk & Fandango (An American Dance Set) by Carmon DeLeone as part of the 35th Anniversary tribute to its Music Director April 30 - May 2, 2004. Fanfare, Funk & Fandango was commissioned by WGUC in honor of its 40th Anniversary.

DeLeone describes his Fanfare, Funk & Fandango as "a colorful overture-like work which includes a double fanfare, a waltz, a funky blues segment (inspired by the late Johnny "Guitar" Watson), a ballad, a Spanish-flavored fandango and a blazing finale."

WGUC congratulates Maestro DeLeone on his 35th Anniversary and is thrilled that the work's premiere was included in his special celebration.

"Our work is much greater than growing an audience of listeners," notes WGUC General Manager Richard Eiswerth. "It is also our mission to foster the growth of great new classical music. We are very honored to have such a good friend, Maestro Carmon DeLeone, compose and present this special commission. His new dance set adds a festive and celebratory tone to WGUC's library of commissioned works."

The tribute's featured performance was Princess and the Pea, a collaboration between composer Carmon Deleone and choreographer Victoria Morgan. Also on the program were excerpts from Peter Pan and Frevo—also written by DeLeone. Purchase Fanfare, Funk & Fandango, and other music by Carmon Deleone.

Carmon DeLeone and the Cincinnati Ballet Orchestra record "Fanfare, Funk and Fandango" on the Music Hall stage. The recording was part of an all-DeLeone CD available now.