Threnody (2021)

for brass quintet

Threnody is scored for standard brass quintet forces (2 Bb trumpets, french horn, tenor trombone, and tuba). Threnody was composed in memory of composer/conductor Theodore Antoniou (1935-2018). As one of my composition teachers while at Boston University, Theodore was a supportive and influential mentor early on in my life as a composer. I met him for the first time when I was a 17-year-old student at the Boston University Tanglewood Institute, where he came to speak about his musical life and trajectory. As part of the opening ceremonies for the BUTI students, we all performed as part of the chorus in a reading of his epic cantata Nenikikamen. The Greek title translates as “we are victorious”, and premiered at the 1972 Olympic Games in Munich with enormous choral forces (over 1,000 singers if my memory serves). I remember Theodore as a fearless musician tackling enormously difficult musical projects, both within the scope of his own compositions and as a tireless proponent of other living composers’ works.

My musical tribute to Theodore attempts to convey my lasting impression of him. He was very proud of being Greek; he was champion of the music of his time; he had enormous energy and drive; he was supportive of his colleagues but did not suffer fools. I like to think of Threnody as both a celebration of Theodore as a powerful musician, and as a lament for a fallen hero.