Sommerfelt

Versus

Versus was written in Oslo in 2008 at the Norwegian Academy of Music and has was revised for publishing in 2014. The 6 trombones are divided into two rival groups, each consisting of two tenors and one bass trombone, much like a standard symphonic trombone section. The title refers to the battle between the two duelling groups similar to the chase choruses often found in jazz music. “Anything you can do, I can do it better” is the sort of sentiment found here. Versus is composed in three main sections; a slow introduction, a funk section and a final Allegro Molto. The entire piece is based on a nine note scale ranging from C to C, using all the notes with the exception of C#, F and A. There are two syncopated rhythmical figures that appear throughout the piece knitting the contrasting sections together.