Blake Ryall - Contemporaries
with Aida Olarte, piano
Doctoral Degree Recital
Recital Hall I March 30th, 201817:30 p.m.

Program
Visions (2012)
1. Running Wild
2. Prayer
3. Dance
4. Song
5. Fafner's Dream
6. Mephisto

Roland Szentpali

Tapestry III (1986)

James DeMars
Intermission

Encounters II (1967)

William Kraft

Concertina for Tuba and Piano (1967)
I. Allegro vivo
II. Andante ma non troppo
Ill. Allegro vivo

Eugene Bozza

Shred!! (2018)

Blake Ryall
with Stephen Senseman, tuba

A511. Herberger Institute
FOR DESIGN AND THE ARTS

ARIZONA

STATE

UNIVERSITY

School of Music

Program Notes
Visions (2012) by Roland Szentpali
Composed by the virtuoso Hungarian tubist Roland Szentpali, Visions is a six-movement
solo piece with optional piano accompaniment. While consistently maintaining a high technical
and musical demand, each movement explores a range of styles, extended techniques, and
expressive gestures. The piece is dedicated to Roger Bobo, who encouraged Szentpali to write it.
Tapestry III (1986) by James DeMars
Tapestry III is the third entry in a series of compositions by ASU-based composer James
DeMars. Written for tuba with electronic accompaniment provided by FM synthesizers, the piece
was featured on former ASU tuba/euphonium professor Daniel Perantoni's solo album Daniel in
the Lion's Den. It has since become a well-known staple in repertoire for tuba and electronics.
Encounters II (1967) by William Kraft
William Kraft's Encounters II is a highly progressive work for unaccompanied tuba that
helped pioneer the use of extended techniques in the tuba literature. Originally written for
virtuoso tubist Roger Bobo, the piece explores extremes of dynamics, register, and technicalities
in a through-composed format across five distinctive sections. Featured extended techniques
include half-valve glissandi, use of multiphonics, flutter tonguing, and half-valved pitches.
Concertino for Tuba and Piano (1967) by Eugene Bozza
French composer Eugene Bozza's Concertino for Tuba and Piano is a three movement
work largely known for its musically demanding content. The first movement serves as a fast and
technically challenging introduction with an extensive cadenza. The second movement begins
with a temporally loose theme in the tuba before transitioning into a lyrical dialogue with the
piano. The third movement returns to a brisk tempo, and showcases technical ability and agility
in bringing the piece to an exciting conclusion.
Shred!! (2018) by Blake Ryall
I like to think this one speaks for itself... special thanks to the ASU Tuba/Euphonium
studio, a group of incredible musicians and people who have never left me short on inspiration or
laughs. Hopefully I can give you all some of both in return!

ARIZONA

STATE

UNIVERSITY

School of Music