Chesapeake began with David Sampson’s desire to write for the members of the American Brass Quintet as individuals, and to create a recording that would stand on its own as a full recital. As a composer, this meant that the series of works had to have a flow of distinctiveness yet be connected by an innate style, and thus the music is conceived as one extended composition. Sampson (b. 1951 Charlottesville, Virginia) belongs to a small group of contemporary composers who have followed an autonomous path to success, recognition and, most importantly, the admiration and respect of the musicians performing and championing their work. Eschewing prescribed late 20th-century paths to success has led Sampson on an uncommon, richly rewarding avenue refreshingly individual in many aspects.

David Sampson, born in Charlottesville, Virginia, makes his Albany Records debut with a disc of exciting, highly original music. In the past you may have heard such orchestral works as Hommage: JFK, Simple Lives, and Reflections on a Dance (for brass and percussion); you then know his music is rhythmically charged, intense in its emotions and dramatic in its orchestration, comparable to such composers as William Schuman and Benjamin Lees. One of his specialties is writing for brass; among his trumpet teachers were such stellar names as Gerard Schwarz, Gilbert Johnson, Robert Nagel and Raymond Mase. His composition teachers included Karel Husa, Henri Dutilleux and John Corigliano, so you have some idea of the exciting sounds to be heard here. This is an important disc for those with an interest in contemporary American music; brass fanciers will obviously find this very attractive too!

Over the decades, David Sampson (b. 1951, Charlottesville, Virginia) has emerged as a leading composer uniquely acclaimed for the integrity of his music. His works have been described as intensely honest and human, taking his audiences through rich experiences filled with depth and emotion.

Among Sampson’s chamber music works are Dectet (Chicago Chamber Musicians), Chesapeake, Morning Music, Distant Voices (American Brass Quintet), Breathing Lessons (Chamber Music America/Amherst Saxophone Quintet), What The Living Do (Gail Williams and friends), Memories To Keep Awhile (David Elton and friends), and Short Stories (Chamber Music America/Pew Charitable Trust/Aspen Wind Quintet.

From Hommage JFK, which was commissioned to commemorate the twenty-fifth anniversary of the opening of the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, to Monument, the emotional depiction of the reaction of a Vietnam war veteran visiting The Wall for the first time, David Sampson’s scores touch deep themes with a language that goes beyond philosophy, poetry, or science.