Scissors (2008)

for solo Trombone
16’
WP 2008, Andrew Digby at the Hochschule für Musik Bern

Edition Juliane Klein Order No.: EJK0345

This piece was written for the trombonist Andrew Digby, after he encouraged me to make a version of my trio, Rock Paper Scissors (for Bass Clarinet, Tenor-Bass Trombone and Contrabass) for solo trombone. There is an extensive solo passage for trombone in the piece, and the original idea for the trio was to organise it in a way that would allow for a flexible interpretation of the ensemble – to be played as solo, duo or trio in all constellations.

In reinterpreting the piece for solo trombone, I projected some of the material of the other instruments onto the trombone, and re-thought some of the trombone material. The result is quite virtuostic, written specifically for Andrew’s playing range, but also very expressive, as if the trombonist is crying out to his old friends, the absent musicians of the trio.

For the final score of Scissors I re-evaluated the score, with the intention of making it available to other trombonists. I decided to make more literal use of the title, “Scissors”- which of course was a reference to the title of the original trio, but also graphically reflects the split tones, and also the splitting process, as the notes diverge from lowest to highest (around mm. 54–82), and the subsequent sections with many leaps (around mm. 111–156).

Now scissors can also be found graphically in the score, and give license to the interpreter to cut and paste the piece in the section that demands a most athletic virtuosity – like an athlete, the soloist can choose their level of performance – to leave out sections that might not work with the state of embouchure at a certain performance and are to selectively repeat other sections in the absence. It is intended that each performance will be different according to the soloist’s choices.

Annesley Black