“I want this to be big, bold, fun, festive, and cacophonous,” said Timothy Kramer, associate professor of music and composer-in-residence at Trinity University.  He’s talking about his latest work, a seven and a half minute composition titled “Party Favors.” 

The San Antonio Symphony will perform the world premiere of “Party Favors” in March as part of the Symphony’s 2006-07 season.

“Party Favors” is a work for full orchestra and triple winds.  It also calls for a large battery of percussion including, vibraphone, tom toms, car horns, tambourine, timbales, bass drums, bongos, claves, sleigh bells, congas, and a cow bell.  Firecrackers are optional.  Although it can be played as a stand-alone work, “Party Favors” also serves as the last movement of Kramer’s Symphony B-A-C-H, his first symphonic work which explores different aspects of musical texture.

According to Kramer, the work explores the musical idea of cacophony. “For most of our lives, we make these critical judgments on what is musical and what is cacophonous noise.”  He added that noises can be extremely musical when placed in the right context.

Larry Rachleff, musical director of the San Antonio Symphony, approached Kramer last March about writing a piece of new music for the symphony.  Kramer accepted the commission and originally started writing a different piece of music for the program.  Eventually he decided to go instead with “Party Favors,” a loud and boisterous work because he felt it would be a better fit with the mood of the city. “Everyone loves March in San Antonio. We’re between Rodeo and Fiesta and this could be a wild and festive piece,” explained Kramer.

Kramer also sees the work celebrating the greatness of the San Antonio’s Symphony Orchestra. “(The musicians) play really well.  They are a world class orchestra,” said Kramer. We’re lucky to have them in town.”

If “Party Favors” seems a little frantic at times, it could be a reflection of Kramer’s own life the past several months.  To begin with, he had only a year to complete the work for the symphony.  Kramer said he normally needs two years to complete a commission.  In addition, he organized the annual meeting of the Society of Composers, a national group which met at Trinity last September, and he was being considered for a promotion from associate professor to full professor. “That alone was a daunting task,” said Kramer. (He did receive the promotion.)

Now that “Party Favors” is complete, Kramer will continue with other projects.  He hopes to have his Symphony B-A-C-H performed in its entirety by a major symphony orchestra.  He also has a saxophone concerto to complete and he plans to write a large choral cycle.

But with the “Party” over, his first plan is to catch up on some much needed rest. “I plan to nap a lot!” exclaimed Kramer.

Classes taught:

• Composition
• Counterpoint
• Theory and Comprehensive Musicianship

Recordings of his work include:

• Etude Fantasy (on a theme for Madame Duruflé)  performed by David Heller, Trinity University organist, on Calcante Recordings, Ltd.
• Colors from a Changing Sky performed by Max Lifchitz, pianist, on North/South Records
• Cycles and Myths performed by the SOLI Ensemble on CASA CD.

© 2007 Trinity University