Product Description
Dr. Gary Bird assembled and edited a volume in 1994 called
"Program Notes for the Solo Tuba." In
it, he assembled information on what were determined to be the eighty-eight
most important works for solo tuba written to that point in time. Robert Chamberlins "Elegy" (for solo tuba)
was very deservedly included in the catalogue of works in that very important
assemblage.
"Elegy" was composed in 1981 for tubist, Jerry Young, and
was written in collaboration with both Young and Daniel Perantoni. It was composed as a response to the
assassination of Anwar Sadat, the Egyptian head-of-state who, along with
Israeli Premier Menachem Begin and U.S. President Jimmy Carter, forged the
peace agreement between those two countries that endures to this day. Chamberlin said: "It is an expression of my
sadness and anger that people resort to that particular type of violence for
political gain." Since its premiere
performance by Jerry Young at Webster University in 1981, the work has been
performed in many venues by many soloists, and it almost always resonates with
and touches very diverse audiences. The
work uses a wide variety of expressive techniques, including multiphonics, pitch
bends, half-valve technique, glissandi, whispering through the instrument, and
the tuba mute. Perhaps the most
striking and emotionally touching effect is that the entire work is played with
the bell of the instrument pointed into the open lid of a grand piano with the
sustain pedal depressed. The harmonic
and echo-like acoustic effects created are stunning in every performance and
venue. This is an outstanding musical
artwork appropriate for any recital, but also very effective in settings where
unexpected or tragic loss are being marked.
It speaks to listeners of all backgrounds in a very pronounced way that
few works seem to achieve. While it is
in every sense a virtuoso work, it is one that repeatedly rewards both
performer and audience.
This product was created by a member of ArrangeMe, Hal Leonard's global self-publishing community of independent composers, arrangers, and songwriters. ArrangeMe allows for the publication of unique arrangements of both popular titles and original compositions from a wide variety of voices and backgrounds.