Jamiia’s prolific series: the “Sound Series” is a celebration of the oboe in different genres, cultures, and eras. The Sound Series spans across two recitals with a combined 16 composers and 14 collaborating musicians and 4 unique musical groups.
Enchantment in Sound, the premiere recital of the Sound Series, contains a set focused on music inspired by nature and contains early modern compositions for the oboe. Enchantment in Sound also features 3 unique chamber groups. This performance is followed by A Tapestry Of Sounds, which is more focused on contemporary oboe works and has a setlist built to highlight Jamiia’s strengths and journey as a musician. Especially notable is the challenging and beautiful “Oboe Sonata” by Grażyna Bacewicz and Fantasistykker, a past favorite, by Carl Nielsen. This final recital also brings back SMSE Jazz for 2 songs!
The recitals performed during the Sound Series have been preserved in physical formats in the form of CDs, promotional posters, and concert programs. As well as digitally through YouTube and music streaming services.
Enchantment In Sound
Performed November 26th at 7pm
“Enchantment In Sound” explores pieces inspired by nature and have an elegant sound quality, featuring works such as “Mountain Song”, “At Dusk, I Will Think of You”, and “Summertime” that highlight this theme. Jamiia programmed Enchantment in Sound with an emphasis on representing diverse musical cultures through the oboe. This setlist includes jazz, synthpop, romantic works, a bagatelle, mountain song, contemporary works, and early-modern compositions.
Featured composers include: Chen Yi, Robert Schumann, Gabriel Pierné, Ennio Morricone, Fermín Ruiz Escobés, Yoko Shimomura, Kazumi Totaka, Doug Harville, Ross Edwards, George Gershwin, Hitomi Satō, and Gō Ichinose.
In Collaboration With:
Casey Baker, Piano
and
Members of Iridescent Bloom:
Jamiia Franklin, Oboe
Laurel Pung, Piano
Eric Gonzalez, Percussion
Noah Gorman, Drums
Members of The Sandwich Quartet:
Jamiia Franklin, Oboe
Nick Regan, Clarinet
Jen Holdstock, Alto Saxophone
Lindsay Timbs, Trombone
As Well As:
Anna Pelli, Clarinet
Jerico Renfroe, Trumpet
Casey Baker, Piano
About Enchantment in Sounds’ Featured Composers:
Chen Yi:
Chen Yi (1953) is a prominent contemporary female composer and violinist whose work is influenced by her roots as a chinese-american. Chen Yi has been the recipient of various awards including the Ives Living Award and an election into the American Academy of Arts & Sciences, a prestigious organization whose members are recognized for their great contributions in their field. In addition, Chen was the first Chinese woman to receive a masters in music composition from the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing.
Robert Schumann:
Robert Schumann (1810 – 1856) was a German composer whose works were important to the romantic era of music. His compositions often drew from literature, especially poetry. Through music, Schumann would strive to create drama, mood, and character. His wife, Clara Schumann, was also a composer (and highly regarded pianist), whose melodies Robert Schumann would occasionally include in his works.
Gabriel Pierné:
Gabriel Pierné (1863 – 1937) was a respected French composer, pianist, organist, and conductor. Conducting ensemble was his priority, although he’s taken time to compose several orchestral works including operas, ballets, and plays. Pierné’s works were published during the romantic-era and took heavy inspiration from traditional French music, although he would occasionally experiment with less conventional harmonies.
Ennio Morricone:
Ennio Morricone (1928 – 2020) was an Oscar-winning contemporary film composer from Rome, Italy. Films Morricone has scored for includes: Kill Bill (2003), The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (1966), Once Upon a Time in the West (1968), and The Hateful Eight (2015). His contributions to the film world have been profound, enabling him to go on tour and conduct his scores in front of live audiences. In a career spanning over 50 years, Morricone’s compositions were featured in over 500 films and tv series, earning him much respect as a composer.
Fermín Ruiz Escobés:
Fermín Ruiz Escobés (1850 – 1918) was a Spanish oboist, professor, and composer. Escobés focused on teaching the oboe to the next generation of Spanish musicians, limiting the time he dedicated to composing. He composed a few works, including religious music, pieces for wind ensembles, and several oboe works. His most celebrated composition is Serenata Española for oboe and piano, with arrangements for oboe and wind band.
Yoko Shimomura:
Yoko Shimomura (1967) is a Japanese composer, pianist, and arranger renowned for her work in the video game industry, especially for her compositions in the Kingdom Hearts series. Her career began after obtaining a degree in piano performance from Osaka College of Music. Despite plans to become a teacher, she’d sent music to video game companies recruiting at Osaka College of Music. Capcom interviewed Shimomura and offered her a job, which she accepted. Since her debut with Capcom, her contributions to the video game industry have been vast.
Ross Edwards:
Ross Edwards’ (1943) is an Australian composer influenced by the sounds of nature; especially the sounds of birds and insects. Edwards often draws from ritualistic dances, celebrations. and droning sounds within his environment. Edwards has become a pioneer in music, embracing unconventional rhythms and sounds. This is demonstrated from the start of his career, his first composition being a bagatelle written for oboe and piano. (Bagatelles are traditionally, and most commonly, piano tunes.)
George Gershwin:
George Gershwin (1898 – 1937) is a renowned American composer known for his contributions to jazz and theater. Among his innovative compositions are Rhapsody in Blue, An American in Paris, I Got Rhythm, and Summertime. Gershwin began his musical journey in New York as a pianist, teaching himself the piano before studying under Charles Hambitzer. Eventually, he took on accompanist gigs with popular singers (as a teenager). Gershwin began to compose his own works after transcribing and performing many pieces by others, ultimately garnering attention from Broadway.
Hitomi Satō:
Hitomi Satō (1973) is a Japanese composer and game designer. Satō began her work with the Pokémon team as a planner for Pokémon Crystal. Although, the first game her music was published in was Pokémon Emerald, released in 2004. Satō left Game Freak in 2014, although she continues to collaborate as a freelance composer. Her latest contributions were in 2022 with Pokémon Legends: Arceus and Pokémon Scarlet and Violet.
Gō Ichinose:
Gō Ichinose (unknown) is a Japanese composer and pianist. As a developing musician, Gō Ichinose would avoid playing pieces he did not like but would practice works he enjoyed diligently, regardless of difficulty. Chopin’s works were among those that he liked. Similar to Satō, Ichinose joined Game Freak as a planner before becoming a composer. The first game Ichinose worked on was in 1993, and he has worked with Game Freak since.
For more information on the “Enchantment In Sound” recital (such as CD, recital program, YouTube Playlist, and streaming services visit the Enchantment In Sound recital page.
A Tapestry Of Sounds
Performed March 28th at 7pm
“A Tapestry Of Sounds” is a reflection of Jamiia’s music journey and seeks to explore contemporary works for the Oboe. Due to this being her final recital as an undergraduate student, Jamiia curated a special setlist featuring SMSE Jazz and her favorite oboe solo, Fantasistykker. Jamiia highlights her progress and journey as a musician through a selection of challenging pieces that allow her to demonstrate new skills including pitch bending, circular breathing, and, of course, vibrato. A Tapestry of Sounds proudly features contemporary (and a few romantic-era) composers from diverse backgrounds.
Featured composers include: Grażyna Bacewicz, Carl Nielsen, Adolphe Blanc, Viet Cuong, Ian Cusson, Kazumi Totaka, and Toby Fox.
