Song of hope

Almost everyone in the brass world knows of Ryan Anthony's fight against cancer. He has been bringing attention to cancer and cancer research through the Ryan Anthony Foundation, and his Cancer Blows concerts. What I want to talk about to day is a particular piece that was written for Ryan Anthony and Cancer Blows by Peter Meechan, called Song of Hope. 

Here is the program note for the piece, taken from Meechan's website"

"Song of Hope is dedicated to my good friend Ryan Anthony (principal trumpet with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra) and his charity, Cancer Blows – a foundation set up to raise awareness and money to further the research that has helped give their family a hope for a future following Ryan’s diagnosis of Multiple Myeloma

Upon hearing the middle movement (simply titled “Song”) of my cornet concerto, Milestone, Ryan asked me if I could change the end from its current reflective ending to something more uplifting, and to title it Song of Hope, giving it much more meaning than I could have ever imagined.

As well as a wind band scoring without soloist, Song of Hope exists with 1, 2 or 3 soloists, accompanied by either wind band, brass band, brass ensemble or symphony orchestra.

For my friend Ryan."

The video below, featuring David Bilger (Principal, Philidelphia Orchestra), Michael Sachs (Principal, Cleveland Orchestra), and Ryan Anthony (Principal, Dallas Symphony), is one of my absolute favorite recordings of any piece. 

The three of them play with such finesse and musical expression, it is impossible not to become immersed in the work. It isn't often that one gets to hear three of some of the best orchestral players in the world come together to share their craft. Even more impressive - this is a LIVE recording, that is as near to perfection as it can get.

Below is a video that I hope you enjoy as much as I do!