Close Encounters with "Mothership": an Album by the Ohio University Wind Symphony

Years ago, conductor Andrew Traschel was surfing YouTube – like many do. He came across a composition that fascinated him: Mason Bates’s “Mothership”.  Upon viewing, Traschel immediately emailed the composer asking for the possibility to arrange the composition for wind ensemble. This began a series of events that led to the creation of a debut album. 

In 2013, Trachsel and the Ohio University Wind Symphony released their first album Mothership, which would feature the work of band composers, both old and new. Bates’s piece “Mothership” served as the inspiration for the title and artwork of the album. It also served as a vehicle to feature the incredible musicianship of the members of the Ohio University Wind Symphony and the styled interpretation by  Trachsel.

The album also features classic composers like George Gershwin and Percy Grainger and their respective compositions “Cuban Overture” and “Spoon River”. Trachsel, himself, shows off his compositional prowess with a colorful arrangement of Robert Moran’s “Points of Departure”. 

The OUWS will be following up Mothership with their next album later this year. Traschel says it will include well-established composers like Michael Daughtery and his “Winter Dreams” as well as younger composers, including Viet Cuong’s “Sound and Smoke”. They begin recording the music this month.

To buy or find out more information on the album Mothership check it out the interview above or click here.