Kate Prestia-Schaub, flute
Kathy Oh, oboe
Margaret Worsley, clarinet
Kristin Morrison, horn
Elizabeth Low-Atwater, bassoon
An Afternoon of Color, Character, and Chamber Music
Join the West Coast Wind Quintet for a vibrant and expressive program ranging from Classical elegance to contemporary storytelling. Featuring music by Reicha, Brandon, Coleman, Ibert, and Beach, this concert explores how five wind instruments can paint worlds — from lyrical landscapes to playful frogs and powerful dances of unity.
Quintuor in E-flat Major, Op. 88, No. 2………………. Antoine-Joseph Reicha (1770–1836)
Lento
Poco Andante grazioso
Finale – Allegretto
Five Frogs……………………………………………………………. Jenni Brandon (b. 1977)
Leaping
On the Lily Pond
Swimming
Bullfrog
Catching Bugs
Epilogue
Umoja……………………………………………………………… Valerie Coleman (b. 1970)
Intermission
Trois Pièces Brèves…………………………………………………. Jacques Ibert (1890–1962)
Allegro
Andante
Assez lent – Allegro scherzando
Pastorale for Wind Quintet, Op. 151………………………………. Amy Beach (1867–1944)
Petite Offrande Musicale……………………………………………… Nino Rota (1911–1979)
PROGRAM NOTES
Antoine-Joseph Reicha — Quintuor in E-flat Major, Op. 88, No. 2
A close friend of Beethoven and one of the founders of modern chamber music for winds, Reicha wrote more than two dozen quintets that helped define the ensemble we know today. He treated each instrument as an equal conversational partner rather than simply accompanying voices.
The three movements performed today create a satisfying arc. The opening Lento introduces a noble, spacious tone, allowing each instrument to speak. The Poco Andante grazioso offers warmth and elegance, filled with lyrical exchanges. The Finale brings buoyant energy and playful interplay, showcasing Reicha’s gift for musical dialogue.
Jenni Brandon — Five Frogs
Five Frogs is a charming and imaginative suite inspired by the sights and sounds of a pond. Brandon uses the wide palette of the wind quintet to paint a series of miniature scenes. From the athletic jumps of Leaping to the shimmering stillness of On the Lily Pond, each movement captures a different frog personality. Deep croaks in Bullfrog, darting gestures in Catching Bugs, and the calm of the Epilogue create a vivid, almost cinematic portrait of nature brought to life through sound.
Valerie Coleman — Umoja
“Umoja” means “unity” in Swahili, and this piece celebrates collective strength and joy. Valerie Coleman blends classical technique with rhythmic and melodic influences from African and African-American musical traditions. The music begins introspectively before growing into a powerful, dance-like affirmation. Driving rhythms, soaring melodies, and vibrant ensemble writing make Umoja one of the most frequently performed contemporary works for wind quintet.
Jacques Ibert — Trois Pièces Brèves
Ibert’s Trois Pièces Brèves is a gem of French neoclassicism. Each movement is compact, colorful, and full of wit. The opening Allegro sparkles with light-hearted exchanges. The Andante offers warmth and lyricism, while the final movement begins mysteriously before bursting into playful, dancing energy. The work’s elegance and charm have made it a staple of the quintet repertoire.
Amy Beach — Pastorale, Op. 151
Amy Beach was one of the first American composers to achieve international acclaim. Her Pastorale is a gentle, flowing piece that evokes pastoral calm and lyrical beauty. Long melodic lines pass between the instruments, creating a feeling of quiet conversation and peaceful reflection. The music glows with warmth and tenderness, offering a moment of repose before the lively finale of the program.
Nino Rota — Petite Offrande Musicale
Known to many as a great film composer, Nino Rota was also a gifted writer of chamber music. Petite Offrande Musicale is playful, graceful, and full of melodic charm. With its light textures, elegant lines, and gentle humor, the piece provides a bright and cheerful conclusion to the concert — sending listeners out with a smile.