Hello, Friends:
I've certainly been busy. Here's the latest news:
ANNOUNCING QUALCHAN MUSIC CD RELEASE
Here's my latest music CD. This is the ninth music CD I've written.
QUALCHAN contains a 7 movement suite for harmonica and string orchestra about the tragic end in 1858 of a Native American in the Spokane Washington area in conflict with the US Army, with music by Gary A. Edwards for string orchestra and harmonica virtuoso soloist Tom Stryker and a historical narrative written by historian Robert Singletary and spoken by Henry McNulty. There are also two other pieces of Gary's music entitled Covered Wagons and Danger. People who like beautiful classical music by a string orchestra and the mellow sounds of harmonica music performed by Hohner Representative and concert touring artist around the World Tom Stryker will love this CD. Other fans will include historians, Native-Americans, friends of the Pacific Northwest and public school music programs for string and instrumental ensembles. There is a version on sheet music available just for string orchestra.
By the way,this CD is a studio recorded version. A live instrumental version off this music was taped at the Strings - Harmonica Festival on May 9th, 2015 where I was composer-in-residence and performed by the Carson City Symphony Youth Orchestra and other community members, conducted by Sue Jesch. If you're interested in the 60 minute DVD version, contact me at gedward@roadrunner.com.
Book Review - War of Two by John Sedgwick
xThis is a story told in parallel fashion of Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr from their births to the inexorable march toward the famous duel told by John Sedgwick whose illustrious ancestor Thomas Sedgwick was friends with both men. However, this isn’t the cleaned up, synthesized and sanitized version of history like you learned in grades one through twelve. This history reads like a novel revealing two of our founding fathers as real people with flaws and darks sides as well as their great qualities. We hear of both men as randy teenagers pursuing women all their lives whether married or not. We hear how both men struggled financially with debts and living above their means. We hear about political wrangling and insults in newspapers that would make Donald Trump blush. And the names of other great men in America’s history are demythized as the everlasting debate between liberal and conservative is fought throughout history. I believe the author is a distant relative of a friend of mine who lives in my home town. This is a very enjoyable book and a good read.
Christmas on The Concourse
I have uploaded the video to a private YouTube site and will be making this video available to the public free some day, hopefully soon, after some of the legal issues are clarified. Have a great 2016.;