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Basalt (1991) |
Solo trombone - 8'
Basalt for solo trombone was written in late 1991. Together with an optional ensemble part (forming basalt-E for trombone, percussion and 4 strings) it is the fourth of five compositions comprising the work-group negatives, commissioned by ELISION. The material of basalt is as it were sculpted from the instrument. The constituent actions of sound-production and -modulation (breathing, embouchure, slide movement, vocalisation, use of transposing valve, and so on) are split away from one another, reassembled into new configurations which themselves disintegrate, as if straining towards an elusive articulacy. Such a composition may only arise from an intense relationship with the instrument in question. My ôimaginary tromboneö, as manifested in basalt, is indebted for its conception especially to Brett Kelly and Barrie Webb, both of whom have given inspiring performances of EARTH (1987-88) for trombone and percussion, but also, by the example of their own music, Ray Anderson, George Lewis, Paul Rutherford...
© Richard Barrett October 1992