"As Above, So Below" (2014) - For Solo Trombone

  Instrumentation For Solo Trombone   Commissioned by the New York Philharmonic, Alan Gilbert, Music Director Dedicated to Joseph Alessi Program Note   "As Above, So Below" takes its title from a popular maxim in Hermetic philosophy that in essence refers to the underlying unity between two seemingly separate worlds. My work, conceived as a duet for solo performer, focuses on a dialogue between two sides of the same instrument. In doing this, for the duration of the piece one of the trombone's tuning slides is completely removed, so that by pressing a valve the player can either project the sound forwards out of the trombone's bell, or backwards from the opened tuning slide. Two distinct characters are thus put into conversation - the full and rich sound projecting towards the audience from the trombone's bell, and a fragile and muted sound coming out of the removed tuning slide at the top of the instrument. I composed this piece while in residence at the American Academy in Rome, whi