|
(2002)
Michael Annicchiarico, composer
Chelmsford Common is a four-movement Sinfonietta for concert band
commissioned by the Chelmsford Community Band in honor of its 30th anniversary.
The world premier was presented in July 2002 on the Common by the Chelmsford
Community Band with Paul Berler conducting.
This contemporary work was composed by Michael Annicchiarico, who teaches at
the University of New Hampshire.
The first movement, "The First Meeting House," was inspired by the structure
that still stands on the Common.
The slow and expressive second movement depicts the huge purple beech tree
that dominates the Common.
The third movement, "Barzillai & Dinah," introduces a bit of the history of
Chelmsford.
Barzillai Lew was an African-American born in Chelmsford in 1743 who served
as a fifer during the American Revolution and played at the Battle of Bunker
Hill.
After the war, he married Dinah Bowman and they formed a dance orchestra that
played throughout New England.
The final movement, "The Spirit of Our Forefathers," was inspired by the
Forefather’s Cemetery which lies just beyond the Common.
The movement features two sacred tunes from old New England, Old Hundredth
and Assurance.
Michael Annicchiarico
|