Thumper
for Trombone Trio (Alto and 2 Tenors)
(2009) (c.3′)
In thinking about writing for Trombone Trio, I knew immediately that I wanted to use a somewhat unorthodox instrumentation utilizing the Alto Trombone with two Tenors in a supporting role. The first sound image that struck me while thinking of this combination was of a rumbling, rhythmic texture over which a high Alto Trombone would slither in and out with short glissandos and slurs over the overtone series. This image immediately suggested to me the Thumper, a small mechanical device in the Dune series by Frank Herbert. This device is placed into the sand and pounds it rhythmically, distracting the sand worms from the movements of humans. The piece is divided into three sections, the first beginning with the slowing revving up Thumper, and ending as the worm is called from beneath the sand with the steady beats of the Thumper below its calls. I think of the second section as a mock ballad of sorts for the sand worm, and the last meditative section describes the Spice Melange which is created as a byproduct of the sand worm life cycle.
- Quarter = 100 — Quarter = 60
- Half = 40–48
- Quarter = 60