Emerald Green - for low reed/brass/string and piano

Year: 2017

Duration: ca. 5:30

Purchase: Free - Just let me know if you perform it!

Recording: Thomas Shermulis, Bass Clarinet | Miranda Schrieber, Piano

For a long time, I’ve associated my favorite key center, Eb major, with brilliant shades of green that one might associate with stones such as emerald, jade, or peridot. I am not synesthetic, and I do not make associations like this in any other context; this is a unique mental connection for me. When my friend, bass trombonist and composer Francisco Martinez, asked me to write a bass trombone solo for him, I decided to act on this association and write a work that, to me, reflects the emerald green with which I associate Eb major. The work does take a trip through C minor - perhaps a slightly darker, bluer shade of green - but quickly finds itself back in its emerald hues.

While the work was originally written for bass trombone, as a bassoonist myself I could not help noticing that, with a few notes brought up an octave, the work would be excellent for bassoon or any other low woodwind, brass, or string instrument. As such, in addition to bass trombone, the piece is also available for the following instruments: bassoon, bass clarinet, baritone saxophone, tenor trombone, euphonium, and cello. The part is identical for these instruments.