Rigorous repertoire is at the ready on WINDSWEPT VOL. II from Navona Records, a sweeping sonic force of contemporary chamber works for woodwind quintet. Performed by the New London Chamber Ensemble, the works of seven composers soar with modern flair including Andrew Lewinter’s Woodwind Quintet, a three movement work written in a decidedly tonal idiom and romantic idiom.
Today, Andrew is our featured artist in “The Inside Story,” a blog series exploring the inner workings and personalities of our composers and performers. Read on to discover his favorite artists growing up, favorite place to be creative, and more.
Who was your first favorite artist(s) growing up?
Growing up, I was just as obsessed with listening to classical music as I am as an adult. The only difference is that I hid it as a kid. (Not cool to wear out the grooves on the recording of Bach Cantata 140 or Don Giovanni when you’re 13). I was also a horn player and listened to a lot of recordings of horn soloists. I can’t say if I had a favorite composer, but Bach, Beethoven, and Mozart were up there. Like I said, not much has changed.
When did you realize that you wanted to be an artist?
I decided to be a professional musician (horn player) in junior year of high school.
If you could make a living at any job in the world, what would that job be?
I love being a lawyer because I like using my mind and experience to help people who need it.
If you could spend creative time anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?
I would be right where I am. I love Oregon. It is the most physically beautiful and welcoming place I have lived. (And I’ve lived in quite a few States).
If you could instantly have expertise performing one instrument, what instrument would that be?
Well, I played the horn professionally for a lot of my life, and it was a good choice. Played well, the horn has a luxurious sound, which is why so many composers score for it in the poignant moments (e.g. Strauss’s Four Last Songs). It is also a chameleon: An honorary member of the woodwind section sometimes, a member of the brass section, and an instrument that blends and gives extra heft to the strings at times.
Is there a specific feeling that you would like communicated to audiences in this work?
I try to reflect the entire range of emotion, so it depends on the moment in the piece.
Before turning his attention to composition, Andrew Lewinter had a long and varied career as an orchestral horn player and soloist. As a composer, Lewinter has a decidedly tonal and neo-romantic style that is often very contrapuntal and always emotionally gripping. His works include sonatas for each of the brass instruments and piano, a quartet for trumpet, horn, trombone and piano, quintets for both horn and string quartet and oboe and string quartet, a woodwind quintet, a string quartet, and a trio for oboe, horn, and piano, among other works scored for a variety of chamber ensembles. Lewinter’s compositions have been widely performed and recorded, and are available on Navona Records and Ablaze records.
