It was part of a group of a dozen orchestras who commissioned Bohemian Queen: Concerto for Trumpet and String Orchestra from 46-year-old Brazilian-American composer Clarice Assad, featuring rising classical trumpet star Mary Elizabeth Bowden. The three-movement concerto is based on paintings by Chicago-based surrealist painter Gertrude Abercrombie (1909-1977), nicknamed “the queen of the Bohemian artists” for her involvement with the city’s lively jazz scene.
The first half of the latest masterpiece performance by the Austin Symphony Orchestra was a notable departure from the usual classical fare. While it concluded with the somnambulant Symphony No. 6 by Beethoven, the first portion had a distinctly international flavour. Three pieces were included: Three Symphonic Versions by the Spanish-born Julian Orbon; Rosa de Sal, for trumpet and chamber orchestra by the Indian-American composer Reena Esmail; and Bohemian Queen by Clarice Assad, a native of Brazil. It was inspired in part by the painting shown here.
On Classical King’s “Northwest Focus Live” with host Sean MacLean, Mary Elizabeth Bowden and Lorenzo Marasso perform excerpts from Totem Voices, composed by Catherine McMichael and 3 Browning Songs, by Amy Beach
Bowden’s defining contribution to the music world, however, might be Seraph Brass — the all-female quintet she founded in 2014. Besides showcasing the upper echelon of female brass players on the scene today, Seraph Brass is known for commissioning new works from composers representing underrepresented groups, including women. A Yamaha Performing Group, the ensemble released its first album, Asteria, in 2018. With the group now in its ninth season, Bowden talked with us about the unique background that launched her career, the inspiration behind Seraph Brass, and her advice for women making their way in music.
Seraph Brass is in high demand throughout the World. Founded with a mission of elevating and showcasing the excellence of female brass players, as well as to highlight musicians from marginalised groups, as we approach global International Women's Day on 8 March, David Childs caught up with the celestial musicians of the ensemble to discover more about its rise to the top.
Like many other fields of music, brass chamber groups are dominated by men. Seraph Brass founder Mary Elizabeth Bowden learned this when she was growing up in Chicago. She fell in love with groups like Empire Brass and Canadian Brass, but she took notice that there were only male musicians in these ensembles.
Renowned trumpeter Mary Elizabeth Bowden joins LaRob & Kristina for a live performance and conversation regarding her career and the future of classical music. Mary Elizabeth Bowden discusses the importance of new commissions, developing new ensembles, and changing the landscape of composers we associate with the genre, highlighting composers like Reena Esmail, Sarah Kirkland Snider, and Rene Orth.
An interview with the entrepreneurial classical trumpeter, who has worked to establish new repertoire for the trumpet through collaborative commissioning projects and award-winning albums. Bowden, an alum of Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestras, is a founding member and artistic leader of Seraph Brass, an ensemble of America’s top female brass players. Hosted by WFMT’s Kristina Lynn, herself a brass player.
Welcome to today’s episode with award-winning trumpet soloist, Mary Elizabeth Bowden. Mary is an artist with a profound, genuine approach to music-making.
The first half of the program wrapped up with a featured piece, the Midwest premiere of Concerto for Trumpet, a Modernist composition by Canada’s Vivian Fung. The piece was written to spotlight the talents on E flat trumpet and flugelhorn of Mary Elizabeth Bowden, who after her performance was presented with the orchestra’s annual Alumni Award. Bowden was backed by a smaller ensemble of orchestra players and showcased a percussion section of timpani, bass and snare drums, and blocks that seemed to be having an especially good time.
"Coming back here, I feel like I'm coming full circle," says Mary of receiving the Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestras' Alumni Award.
An interview with Trumpet Queen Mary Elizabeth Bowden
International Trumpet Soloist Mary Elizabeth Bowden has created an artistic world for herself that is centered on uplifting women's voices.
Mary is the featured guest on the Trumpet Gurus podcast, speaking with host and musician Jose Johnson.
Talented trumpet soloist Mary Elizabeth Bowden chats about her musical career.
We talk with Mary about her recent trumpet concerto commission, how she balances so many ensembles and projects, and advice she has to musicians wanting to create opportunities for themselves.
Bowden's recording company recommended her newest disc, "Reverie," to Opus-Klassik, the German equivalent of Grammys for classical music. And suddenly Bowden found herself on the list for best soloist, instrumentalist and best new artist.
Vivian Fung’s Trumpet Concerto is not just a world premiere, it’s very likely the first concerto written by a North American female composer for a female trumpet soloist.
Artist Mary Bowden and an all-female ensemble present works from Debussy, Bach and Mozart as well as less familiar works arranged for trumpet and string ensemble by contemporary composers James Stephenson and Catherine McMichael.
Amending slightly the categories used for last year's roundup, textura's 2019 selections are grouped into Jazz, Classical, Ambient/New Age, General, Compilation, and Single/EP/Cassette lists.
"Picking pieces that really shaped my path when I was very young — that's what this CD was really about." Mary talks about her album 'Reverie' with MPR's Julie Amacher.
The American Prize National Nonprofit Competitions in the Performing Arts, David (Volosin) Katz, founder and chief judge,is honored to announce the winners, runners-up, citation recipients and honorable mentions of The American Prize in Instrumental Performance, 2018-19, in professional, college/university, community and high school divisions.
A native of Illinois, trumpeter Mary Elizabeth Bowden has emerged as a dazzling young soloist.
As a trumpet soloist, Mary Elizabeth Bowden has been called “an exquisite player whose polished tone is heard in ample supply.” Now, she’s partnered with the Pittsburgh-based Kassia Ensemble to present outstanding new arrangements and compositions for trumpet, strings and harp.
