Infinite Escape is a passion project years in the making. All of the works recoreded on this album by myself and Dr. Lisa Kinzer (Professor of Piano, Longwood University), represent pieces commissioned and/or written for me by longtime friends and collaborators over the past 15 years. Every piece on this album has been a special part of my journey as a musician. This project represents some of my favorite works to perform, from great composers and friends.

 

We sincerely hope you enjoy this album, and seek out works by these composers.

 

This project was funded by a generous Faculty Research and Development Grant from Longwood University.

 

Infinite Escape by Frank Gulino (b. 1987)

Infinite Escape was written in 2011, as part of as the inagural repertoire consoritum by the (now defunct) euphoniumcommissions.org, a project I started and ran for a few years as part of a project during my undergraduate studies.

 

The work is composed in 2 large sections, seperated by a lyrical cadenza. After opening with a brief lycial piano solo, we are thrown into the fire with an intense allegro section in Bb minor. After the lyrical euphonium cadenza, we enter the second half of the piece, which is in complete contrast to the opening, and focuses on a beautiful lyrical melody in Eb major. After several embelishments and ornemantations of the tune, the piece ends on a calm and reflective note.

 

To learn more about him and his music, visit: frankgulino.com

 

Concerto for Euphonium by Anthony O'Toole (b. 1988)

 

Concerto for Euphonium was written in premiered in 2010, where Anthony O'Toole and I were both students at the time. O'Toole was a composition student at the time. I believe the payment for the project was lunch at Eat n' Park.

 

This work truly stands the test of time, and has everything from beautifu melodies to extreme virtusosic passages. It is built to showcase what the euphonium can do. The piece is composed in three movements, I. March, II. Balalde, and III. Cappriccio. The March begins with a bombastic opening in the piano, followed by an openeing cadenza that tests the extreme ranges of the soloists. The opening follows with a lively march, that continues to get more fernetic throughout the movement. The Ballade is a stark contrast, exploring lush harmonies in the key of Db major. The Cappricio ends the work with a technical showcase for both performers, as they explore multiple time signatures, and new melodies, before reeturning to a brief recap of themes from the first movement.

 

The work is also scored for solo euphonium and wind band.

 

To learn more about him and his music, visit: anthonyotoolemusic.weebly.com

 

Prairie Songs by Reed A. Hanna (b. 1987)

 

Prairie Songs was written by Reed A. Hanna in 2015, following his previous set of songs written for euphonium and piano Songs about Life and Love written in 2012. Reed Hanna and I, as with Anthony O'Toole, were both students at Indiana University of Pennsylvania. A few years after graduation, and after the sucess of his first set of euphonium and piano character pieces, we colloborated again for Prairie Songs. These pieces are an absolute joy to perform, and their light hearted nature lifts the spirits of audiences and perofmers alike.

 

(Program note below from the compsoer)

 

In 2015 I had become so overwhelmed in writing a doctoral dissertation, performing as a freelance bassoonist, and composing music that was more “serious” in nature, that I wanted to write a fun new set of character pieces. The goal was to keep it as light as possible, and before I knew what Prairie Songs would eventually become, I had already begun plunking out a “saloon style” lick on the piano. This lick would become a piano solo in “On the Trail,” and from there the theme was set. The work consists of four character pieces: I. The Open Plans (or Thrushes and Sparrows), II. On the Trail, III. Here, a Home, and IV. Campfire Jig.

 

To learn more about him and his music, visit: reedhannabassoon.com

 

Songs of a Sojourner by Nicole Piunno (b. 1985)

 

Songs of a Sojourner was written and premiered in 2017. Nicole Piunno and I first met in 2014, when we were both working with the same high school marching band. Over the next few years, I came to know her music, and we colloborated on several projects involving euphonium, which later led to the composition of Songs of a Sojourner. Her writing artfully fuses the euphonium and piano to create lucious and picturesque aural landscapes.

 

The work consists of three movements that are marked by lyrical lines and freedom. The title of each movement comes from a location at Hocking Hills State Park in Logan, OH. Conkles Hollow is a rugged and rocky gorge. I imagined the performer playing this lyrical solo on top of the cliff overlooking the wide space of beautiful scenery. Rim Trail is a challenging trail that circles the edge of the cliffs at Conkles Hollow. The movement for Rim Trail is the only one in the piece that has a faster and more energetic style. This movement begins and ends with a fast and articulate style, while the lyrical portion is placed in the middle. Cedar Falls is a lonely, yet beautiful place filled with water falls. To me, these water falls represent a quiet, calm and free type of rejoicing. (program note by the composer)

 

To learn more about her and her music, visit: nicolepiunno.com

 

Carnival of Scenes by Zach Collins (b. 1981)

Zach Collins is the professor of tuba and euphonium at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, where I studied from 2008 - 2012. During my time at IUP, Dr. Collins composed several pieces for the IUP Tubaphonium ensemble, which were always a joy to play and perform. A few years after my graduation, I approahced him about writing a work for solo euphonium and piano, which ultimately resulted in the writing of Carnival of Scenes in 2017.

 

This brilliantly inventive work showcases both the euphonium soloist and the pianist, with opportunities for both to shine technically and musically. It takes the listener on a through-composed journey through several contrasting sectiong, that are always highlighted by Collins' wonderful and succinct use of beautiful melodic lines.

 

To learn more about him and his music, visit: tubaphonium.com

 

Album Info:

• Mike Waddell, Euphonium & Lisa Kinzer, Piano
• Produced by George Alberti
• Mixing and Mastering by Jon Hansen
• Album Design by Xyl Lasersohn
• Special Thanks to Roland Karnatz & Devon Shifflett
• Recorded in John W. Molnar Recital hall on the campus of Longwood University, Farmville VA. May 14 - 16, 2024