"Un Momento Dado" - Featuring The United States Air Force Band and Calefax Reed Quintet

The United States Air Force Band is proud to present this throwback performance with renowned reed quintet and our Guest Artist Series performers, Calefax Reed Quintet. “‘Un Momento Dado’ was inspired by a phrase spoken by the legendary Dutch soccer player Johan Cruyff (1947-2016) at a press conference in Spain. It translates literally as, “at a given moment,” and was soon after integrated into everyday Spanish. The title is a reference to Cruijff’s idiosyncrasy and enthusiasm, qualities that composer Johan De Meij sees in Calefax and that form his inspiration for the piece. The piece was written for and premiered by the Calefax Reed Quintet. With strong encouragement from the Calefax musicians, De Meij opted for a concerto grosso-like form for his new work, in which the reed quintet and the wind orchestra seamlessly alternate with each other, as well as occasionally combining forces. During the majestic orchestral opening of two minutes' duration, with its expectant trumpet flourishes and a notable role for the harp, one can instantly hear the musical point of departure that de Meij chose for Un Momento Dado. This leitmotiv comprises the notes C-A-E-F-A: the note names that appear as letters in the name CALEFAX. In its pure form, this motif is first heard when the reed quintet makes its first appearance, introduced by the oboe. What follows is a succession of inspiring musical ideas with richly expressive color combinations. In this context, De Meij creates striking moments when he connects one of Calefax’s instruments to a group from the wind orchestra; a dreamy passage for the saxophone soloist together with the saxophone section, and the oboe soloist combined with the band’s double reed instruments. There is also a moment in which Calefax is responded to by the same five wind players in the orchestra, who De Meij jokingly refers to as “Shadowfax”. The C-A-E-F-A motif returns in various forms, ultimately even as a quote from Richard Strauss’s celebrated 'Till Eulenspiegel' tune, which it recalls, before sprinting to a triumphant conclusion in a virtuosic cascade of sounds.” - Program notes by Alban Wesley, Calefax bassoonist Additionally, The United States Air Force Band would like to wish a very happy birthday today to composer extraordinaire, Johan de Meij! #usafband #composer #newmusic Un Momento Dado Johan De Meij Calefax Reed Quintet and The United States Air Force Band Credits Colonel Don Schofield - Executive Producer Chief Master Sgt. Dennis Hoffmann - Producer Captain Christina Muncey - Audio Producer Senior Master Sgt. Jim DeVaughn - Recording/Editing/Mixing Engineer Technical Sgt. Jim Woolf - Live Mix Engineer Senior Master Sgt. Chad Randolph - Assistant Engineer Nathan Devonshyre, Andrew Waters - Lighting Master Sgt. Kevin Cerovich - Videographer Technical Sgt. Nadia Sosnoski - Videographer Technical Sgt. Nadia Sosnoski - Video Editor Technical Sgts. Nikki Hill and Joey Velez - Artist Managers