Trombonist

The opening work on this program immerses us in Ives’ haunting mini-philosophy-lesson about the universe and man’s eternal search for meaning in it. Three groups of players (a string orchestra, a solo trumpet, and a group of flutes) make their arguments with the inevitable conclusion. The Westerlies, an “arty quartet … mixing ideas from jazz, new classical, and Appalachian folk” (~ The New York Times) with a ferociously unique vision of brass—and yes, named for the prevailing west to east winds—blow in to play Conrad Tao’s Westerlies Concerto. And in a classy-brassy pivot, an ear-stretching take on Dvořák’s exuberant string quartet, especially arranged for the OPO and The Westerlies, is bound to please!

EPSG:4326

Seeking Answers

The Plaza Live

The remarkable brass quartet The Westerlies will lead guests in the second Wander concert of the 2023 season, moving between three sites located within the main Cottonwood Campus. Known as “skilled interpreters who are also adept improvisers” (NPR’s Fresh Air), The Westerlies will fittingly present a program featuring two contemporary works composed originally not for brass, but for piano and string. Beginning at Iron Tree by Ai Weiwei, members Riley Mulherkar and Chloe Rowlands (trumpet) and Andy Clausen and Willem de Koch (trombone) will perform singer, songwriter, and pianist Robin Holcomb’s Wherein Lies the Good, a centerpiece of the quartet’s 2020 album of the same name. From Iron Tree, guests and musicians alike will walk along a flat, gravel path to Patrick Dougherty’s Daydreams/Cursive Takes a Holiday to experience Entr’acte by Pulitzer Prize-winner composer Caroline Shaw. The performance concludes a short distance away, under the canopy of Francis Kéré’s Xylem, with This is Water by the Westerlies own trombonist Andy Clausen.

Andy Clausen

Trombonist

Events

Oct 16, 2023

Seeking Answers · Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra

Sep 9, 2023

Wander series: The Westerlies · Tippet Rise Art Center

About

Andy Clausen hasn't added a bio