Jenni Brandon’s “Colored Stones” was performed by bassoonist Ntinyari Miriti at the Bassoon Studio Recital on December 8, 2020, 7:30 pm, at Butler University, Jordan College of the Arts, School of Music. The School of Music is located at 4600 Sunset Avenue, Indianapolis, Indiana 46208 317-940-9246

The Bassoon Studio Recital by Students of Doug Spaniol program follows:

Habañera from Carmen Suite                                                           Georges Bizet (1934-1996)

                                                                                                                            arr. by Christopher Raymond

Butler Bulldog Bassoon Band

Half Moon at Checkerboard Mesa (1997)                              Phillip Kent Bimstein (b. 1947)

(Fantasy for Bassoon, Frogs, Crickets, and Coyotes)

Owen Chance, bassoon

Rhapsody for Bassoon (1958)                                                              Willson Osborne (1906-1979)

Ana Severson, bassoon

Swamp Song for Bassoon and Electronic Tape (1986)                    Michael Burns (b. 1963)

Gracie Moore, bassoon

Partita, BWV 1013                                                                               J.S. Bach (1685-1750)

Allemande                                                                                           transcribed by Wm. Waterhouse

Corrente

Sarabande

Bourée Anglaise

Mia Nunokawa, bassoon

Variations for Solo Bassoon (1972)                                                 Christopher Weait (b. 1939)

Samantha Svare, bassoon

Colored Stones (2014)                                                                        Jenni Brandon (b. 1977)

Smoky Quartz

Lapis Lazuli

Tiger’s Eye

Ntinyari Miriti, bassoon

Les Toreadors from Carmen Suite                                                    Georges Bizet (1934-1996)

arr. by Christopher Raymond

Butler Bulldog Bassoon Band

Encore:

BasSOON It Will Be Christmas (2013)                                   James M. Stephenson (b. 1969)

Ntinyari Miriti, Mia Nunokawa, Samantha Svare, bassoons

Butler University Wind Ensemble, Michael J. Colburn, conductor

Recorded December 13, 2019

Jenni Brandon’s “Colored Stones” for solo bassoon tells the story of three stones: smoky quartz, lapis lazuli, and tiger’s eye. Some cultures and spiritual practices believe these stones have powerful qualities such as the ability to heal, protect, and offer spiritual guidance. The bassoon explores these beautiful stones’ unique qualities.

Smoky Quartz – An incredibly grounding stone, this smoky brown stone transforms and diffuses negative energy. The bassoon changes from a sense of grounding to playfulness, exploring this balance of energy. In the end, it always finds its way back to telling the story of the grounding quality of the stone.

Lapis Lazuli – Prized for its colors, this deep blue stone was used by kings and queens in paintings and ceremonial robes. Believed to help foster truthful expression and communication, it supports the immune system and brings peace. The bassoon explores the luxurious blue color, mixing in flashes of gold found in the stone.

Tiger’s Eye – Tiger’s eye, a golden brown to deep red stone, is very grounding and can bring luck and ward off evil. The bassoon is sometimes “protective and seeing,” moving quickly to remove the look of the “evil eye” and other times moving dreamily through an ancient landscape of protective energy.

Jenni was honored to be chosen as the winner of the 2014 Bassoon Chamber Music Composition Competition and to have this work premiered by Susan Nelson.

This work is available for purchase through Imagine Music Publishing.