Three Imaginary Landscapes
Sonata for Bass Trombone and Piano
Purchase score and part through Murphy Music Press
Medium Advanced - $35 - ca. 16 minutes
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Mvmt. II "Southern Gothic" performed by Gerry Pagano
Program Notes
Three Imaginary Landscapes for bass trombone and piano is an exploration of fictional places found in American literature. The first movement, “The Miskatonic at Dunwich,” depicts the mythical region of New England found in the horror science fiction of H. P. Lovecraft. “Mystical” chords and a sonorous melody convey the gloomy river banks and dilapidated towns, followed by a lively chase from a crowd of deranged cult members. “Southern Gothic” is a literary term describing the many stories set in the rural South of the USA with a sinister and occasionally supernatural quality. While these stories have their dark elements, they also often highlight the pastoral beauty of the South and this slower movement seeks to find that balance. “Upon the Plains of Barsoom” references Edgar Rice Burroughs’ name for Mars in his famous John Carter series. These fanciful tales feature brutal alien tribes and fantastic air battles above the desolate Martian landscape. My depiction is a similarly intense and always unpredictable dance with a nod to Cuban jazz.
Consortium organized by
Dr. Erik Shinn, University of Florida
Final Membership (consortium is now closed):
George Curran – The New School | Rutgers University | New York Philharmonic
Jason Hausback – Missouri State University
Randy Hawes – Cleveland Institute of Music | Detroit Symphony Orchestra
Eric Henson – Limestone College
Gabe Langfur – Boston University | Rhode Island Philharmonic
Terry Leahy – Colorado State University
James Markey – New England Conservatory | Boston Symphony Orchestra
Martin McCain – Texas State University
Gerry Pagano – St. Louis Symphony Orchestra
Fletcher Peacock – University of North Carolina at Asheville
Donn Schaefer – University of Utah
Jason Sulliman – Troy University
J. Mark Thompson – Northwestern State University | Shreveport Symphony Orchestra
Noel Wallace – Tarleton State University
Dr. Erik Shinn, University of Florida
Final Membership (consortium is now closed):
George Curran – The New School | Rutgers University | New York Philharmonic
Jason Hausback – Missouri State University
Randy Hawes – Cleveland Institute of Music | Detroit Symphony Orchestra
Eric Henson – Limestone College
Gabe Langfur – Boston University | Rhode Island Philharmonic
Terry Leahy – Colorado State University
James Markey – New England Conservatory | Boston Symphony Orchestra
Martin McCain – Texas State University
Gerry Pagano – St. Louis Symphony Orchestra
Fletcher Peacock – University of North Carolina at Asheville
Donn Schaefer – University of Utah
Jason Sulliman – Troy University
J. Mark Thompson – Northwestern State University | Shreveport Symphony Orchestra
Noel Wallace – Tarleton State University