Eddie Bass

Trombone Duo Sonata

I composed the Sonata for Tenor Trombone, Bass Trombone, and Piano for Donald Lucas and Gabriel Langfur, who premiered it on a recital that opened the Boston University Tanglewood Institute series for the summer of 2014. While the work has no programme, its basic conception is that of a dialogue between the two trombones, in which they converse (exchanging ideas), occasionally argue (in counterpoint), and sometimes agree (in unison, octaves, or harmony). The piano participates in the conversation, accompanies it, and often contributes ideas of its own. While each of the four movements has its own set of themes, the first and last share a motive that occurs at the beginning of each and, in the course of the movements, undergoes a number of transformations. Eddie Bass