Back in the day, I was tasked with transcribing Gillis’ “Shindig”, the complete ballet. It was great fun, but the brass players hated it, as it was very tough on the chops. LOL.
I was surprised to discover that Gillis was on the faculty at University of South Carolina...but not in the music school. I talked to my former high school band director (who attended USC when Gillis was on faculty) and he was shocked. Said he never knew that until I told him. Sad, but let's all spead the music of Gillis 👍
I Gillis-ed myself out last year listening to all of his symphonies a few times each, so I could submit one of them to Cancrizans. 7 is probably my favorite, though I've recently went back to hear only 8 and 9. P.S. In double-checking my spelling, I found "cancrizans god" to be in the top search suggestions using that word, lol.
Thank you for putting a light on this composer. His music is right up my alley.
I love hearing his music. Totally unknown to me. Thanks for your review.!
Even though I collect Americana orchestral suites and tone poems, (think Grofe, Daugherty, etc) I had never heard of Gillis until today. Thanks!
Back in the day, I was tasked with transcribing Gillis’ “Shindig”, the complete ballet. It was great fun, but the brass players hated it, as it was very tough on the chops. LOL.
I was surprised to discover that Gillis was on the faculty at University of South Carolina...but not in the music school.
I talked to my former high school band director (who attended USC when Gillis was on faculty) and he was shocked. Said he never knew that until I told him.
Sad, but let's all spead the music of Gillis 👍
I was exposed to Gillis early on…in 7th grade band when we played his Spiritual from Symphony 5.5 for band contest. I think I had a good band teacher.
Thanks (again), Dave...
Didn't Toscanini perform/record Gillis' Symphony 5.5?? It helps if you're also the NBC Symphony's manager.
Yes he did. It's on you tube. That Toscanini was a real hep cat.
He also wrote a tone poem about Toscanini, as yet unrecorded.
I Gillis-ed myself out last year listening to all of his symphonies a few times each, so I could submit one of them to Cancrizans. 7 is probably my favorite, though I've recently went back to hear only 8 and 9. P.S. In double-checking my spelling, I found "cancrizans god" to be in the top search suggestions using that word, lol.
If you want to get the Dutton Vocalion Gillis disc you'd better hurry - it's on clearance at Dutton for a little over a buck.
Have you done any talks about Benjamin Britten?
There are 25 videos in the Britten playlist: th-cam.com/play/PLAjIX596BriGjj5vLUk8VpwphiMIaIUl4.html