Conductor Leonard Slatkin described Ron Nelson (1929-2023) thusly: “Nelson is the quintessential American composer. He has the ability to move between conservative and newer styles with ease. The fact that he’s a little hard to categorize is what makes him interesting.” This quality has helped Nelson gain wide recognition as a composer. Nowhere are his works embraced more than in the band world, where he won the “triple crown” of composition prizes in 1993 for his Passacaglia (Homage on B-A-C-H). An Illinois native, Nelson received his composition training at the Eastman School of Music and went on to a distinguished career on the faculty of Brown University.
Aspen Jubilee came about in 1988 thanks to a commission from the Manatee High School Bands in Bradenton, Florida. I can’t find the original source for this, but the Lone Star Wind Orchestra once published this quote from Nelson about the inspiration for the piece (found at the Wind Repertory Project):
I was thinking of the stupendous beauty of the Rockies in general, of blinding sunlight of snow-covered peaks; of the frontier spirit of old Aspen with its brash, funny dynamism, and its corny ragtag Fourth of July parades and fireworks displays. I was also thinking about indescribably beautiful nights under star-filled skies (the middle section is titled Nightsong). There is only a passing nod to the Aspen which has now become a playground for the rich and famous. I spent thirteen of the most memorable summers of my life at the Aspen Music Festival. I was able to immerse myself in music, meet fascinating people, and recharge my batteries. Each year it became progressively more expensive and sophisticated, but I still associate it with wonderful music making.
Here is Aspen Jubilee in a recording by the Dallas Winds and Jerry Junkin:
See more about it at Boosey & Hawkes, Hal Leonard, Presto Music, and Music and Arts.