THE UNBROKEN CALL
A Landmark Premiere
World Premiere – February 21-22, 2025
-
Orchestra: Austin Symphony Orchestra
-
Soloists: Giveton Gelin, Ephraim Owens (Trumpet)
-
Conductor: Peter Bay
-
Date of Premiere: Feb 21-22, 2025
-
Venue: The Long Center, Austin, TX
The Unbroken Call premiered to a packed house and received four standing ovations, with enthusiastic praise from both concertgoers and the orchestra’s leadership. Linda Van Bavel, President of the Austin Symphony, described the work as “a thrilling experience that brought new faces to the hall and left the audience electrified.”
The premiere also serves as the centerpiece of an upcoming PBS documentary, which will introduce the work to a national audience next year.
Performance Highlights
All videos courtesy of Cradled By Grace the Documentary - PBS
Work Overview
A genre-defying concerto that bridges classical and jazz traditions
Sam Lipman’s The Unbroken Call is a vibrant and emotionally charged work that merges the rhythmic vitality of jazz with the sweeping grandeur of the symphonic tradition. Composed for both classical and jazz trumpeters, the piece explores the expressive possibilities of the instrument, moving fluidly between lyricism, groove, and technical virtuosity.
The concerto’s three movements trace a dramatic arc—from high-energy interplay and intricate counterpoint to a deeply introspective second movement, culminating in an electrifying finale. Designed to highlight the versatility of both the orchestra and the soloist(s), the work offers a fresh and exhilarating concert experience that resonates across genres and audiences alike.
Scored for full orchestra with featured trumpet soloist
Audio Excerpts
Testimonials
A work that bridges worlds and moves audiences
-
“I wasn’t sure what to expect as far as a blending of jazz and classical styles, but I absolutely loved it. The excitement after the concert was palpable—I hadn’t seen our audiences so literally jazzed in that way before. Any new music that creates that interest to attract new faces will always be a meaningful way to create resonance in a community.”
— Linda Van Bavel, President, Austin Symphony Orchestra -
“An exciting and well-crafted synthesis of classical and jazz, Sam Lipman’s trumpet concerto was the highlight of our program. The piece was well written for the orchestra, and the second movement especially was beautiful.”
— Jessica Mathaes, Concertmaster, Austin Symphony Orchestra -
“The most creative, most fun, most powerful new piece of music I have ever played.” – Luis Eduardo Bellorin, Violist, Austin Symphony Orchestra.
Press & Media Coverage
What's Next?
Bringing This Work To New Audiences
Upcoming Goals:
-
National & International Performances: Seeking programming with major orchestras including the New York Philharmonic, Sydney Symphony, and Charlotte Symphony.
-
Recordings & Broadcasts: Exploring potential for studio recording & live broadcast opportunities.
-
Educational Outreach: Engaging conservatories and young artists in the work’s evolution.
How You Can Be Involved:
-
Orchestras: Let’s discuss programming this work for your upcoming season.
-
Conductors: I’d love to collaborate on refining the interpretation and performance.
-
Media & Presenters: Let’s bring this story to an even wider audience.
Contact & Materials
-
Full Score & Parts: Available upon request
-
All Inquiries: owen@summersartistservices.com
Let’s bring this music to the world!
Sam Lipman
Composer | Orchestral Innovator
samuellipman@gmail.com