Kenneth Thompkins Releases Second Solo Album

Kenneth Thompkins, Principal Trombone of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, released his second solo album Compelling Portraits as a tribute to contemporary African-American composers. The following words are what Thompkins writes of this album.

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In my career, I have been extremely fortunate to perform great orchestral music written by several 20th-century African-American composers, including William Grant Still, Florence Price, George Walker, and Adolphus Hailstork. Current Black composers continue this legacy, writing captivating music in diverse styles with conviction, skill, and beauty. Their inspiring artistry has led me to seek several commissions of trombone chamber music, three of which are on this recording.

Sonata in One Movement by Kevin Day is a tour de force that stretches the musicians to great musical heights. The Sonata opens with a piano flourish followed by intricate interplay with the trombone. In the middle section, the solo trombone soliloquy sets a contemplative mood. The piece comes to a triumphant ending using declamatory yet singing statements by the trombone and piano.

Moments by Maurice Draughn draws upon his experience as an organist as well as a harpist. The first movement, Voluntary, references the organ voluntary that is played as part of a church service. The second movement, Romance, embraces the warmth and luxuriousness created by the combination of harp and alto trombone. Moments ends with a surprising, bluesy Vivace featuring accelerating, sweeping gestures.

Psalmic Meditations by Shawn Okpebholo sets three Psalms to music using the combination of soprano (voice), piano, and alto trombone. These Psalms explore our ever-evolving relationship with God. As we seek relief from suffering, we question God and ask how long we must endure our trials. In realizing the greatness and expansiveness of God, we recognize our brief existence. The last setting, “Your Love,” expresses our joy in receiving God’s unending love for us.

Rhapsody for Trombone and Piano by Brian Raphael Nabors is a colorful work that is inspired by the composer’s youth, as he spent time encountering nature. His experiences growing up around the lakes, rivers, and streams near Birmingham, Alabama, influence his sense of color in his compositions. Rhapsody explores the trombone and piano’s full range of color and dynamics: aggressive statements by the trombone in its opening, a reflective middle section, and finally a return to the original thematic material.

Compelling Portraits by James Lee lll is a musical depiction of a few of the paintings in Jacob Lawrence’s Migration Series and in particular his painting Confrontation at the Bridge (Selma, Alabama). These paintings show the struggles of African Americans in the 20th century as they travelled from the South to the North in search of a better life, as well as a defining moment in the civil rights movement now known as “Bloody Sunday.” In Compelling Portraits you can hear the fear, hopefulness, and anxiety of African Americans. The use of the Dixie theme throughout the composition is simultaneously a sign of hopefulness as people left the South and a reminder that the struggle for equality continued in the Northern states. – Kenneth Thompkins

Personnel:
Kenneth Thompkins, trombone
Zhihua Tang, piano
Abraham Feder, cello
Hannah Hammel Maser, flute
Maurice Draughn, harp
Katrina Van Maanen, soprano (vocal)

Track List:
1 Sonata in One Movement – Kevin Day
Kenneth Thompkins, trombone; Zhihua Tang, piano

Moments for Alto Trombone and Harp – Maurice Draughn
Kenneth Thompkins, trombone; Maurice Draughn, harp
2 l. Voluntary
3 ll. Vocalise
4 lll. Vivace

Three Psalmic Meditations – Shawn Okpebholo
Kenneth Thompkins, alto trombone; Katrina Van Maanen, soprano; Zhihua Tang, piano
5 l. How Long? Psalm 13
6 ll. Time Psalm 39:4-7
7 lll. Your Love Psalm 36:5-10

8 Rhapsody for Trombone and Piano – Brian Raphael Nabors
Kenneth Thompkins, trombone; Zhihua Tang, piano

Compelling Portraits – James Lee lll
Kenneth Thompkins, trombone; Hannah Hammel Maser, flute;
Abraham Feder, cello; Zhihua Tang, piano
9 l. Migrations
10 ll. Bridge Confrontation
11 lll. Surprising Findings

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