On Friday (3/20), the Indianapolis Star published an article by Wei-Huan Chen about Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra Concertmaster Zach DePue and how a theme he had written in 1986 became the basis for a brass concerto by ISO Principal Trombonist Jim Beckel. The concerto was given its premiere by the orchestra March 20-22 at the Palladium, the Hilbert Circle Theatre, and Avon High School. DePue had written what he called “Mama’s Waltz” at age six in memory of his mother, who had just died in a car accident. He had kept the manuscript, and at a “get-together for the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra” at DePue’s apartment in 2013, Beckel “saw the frayed score hanging in a corner of the room. ‘Mama’s Waltz’ sang to him loud and clear. Beckel had to ask Zach the question. Beckel was a composer, after all. ‘Would you let me use this melody for a concerto?’ ” DePue was initially reluctant, but “no gradually turned to maybe. Maybe turned to yes.” The weekend concerts also featured DePue as soloist in the Barber Violin Concerto.
Posted March 24, 2015
