Contrapunctus XV/Es ist genug

Contrapunctus XV/Es ist genug From the Meridian Folio collection by the Meridian Arts Ensemble: for Brass Quinet and Percussion Jon Nelson is a performer, arranger, orchestral trumpeter, and educator, a life devoted to the trumpet. As a musician and especially in relation to his work with the acclaimed Meridian Arts Ensemble, he has commissioned, arranged, and written numerous works to enhance the repertoire. “I arranged Contrapunctus XV / Es ist genug for a Meridian performance at the Lieksa Brass Festival. One of our concerts was in a church, and the program consisted of mostly old music. As was Meridian practice, we felt compelled to offer a 20th Century perspective on the pieces, both of which hold prominent positions in the canon. As Contra XV is unfinished, I thought it appropriate to cut directly Es ist genug (It is enough), as if Bach had had enough.” -- Jon Nelson The only alteration to the fugue was the leaving “open” of certain vibraphone notes, extending consonances and creating suble dissonances.* Upon arrival at Es ist genug, the solemn quality of the fugue transforms to one of humor and jocularity, as the trombone plays a wacky figured bass, and the percussionist plays a very baroque xylophone obligato, wandering off into be-bop, with some very “blue” notes. This arrangement was recorded by Meridian Arts Ensemble on its cd “Alchemy”, with piccolo trumpet overdubbing the xylophone part at the end. *When the percussion part has a phrase mark over vibes notes, the pedal should remain depressed. Sections without a phrase indication should be played by clearing each beat, lifting the pedal. The percussionist is encouraged to experiment with the motor speed as well. ---- Jon Nelson