basalt

Richard BARRETT
Born 1959, Swansea, Wales

basalt (1991)

From negatives (1988-92) 10700
trombone/voice solo
Published by United Music Publishers

basalt for solo trombone was written in late 1991. Together with an optional ensemble part (forming basalt-E for trombone, percussion and four strings) it is the fourth of five compositions comprising the work-group negatives, commissioned by ELISION Ensemble. The material of basalt is as it were `sculpted´ from the instrument. The constituent actions of sound-production and -modulation (breathing, embouchure, slide movement, vocalisation, use of transposing valve, and so on) are split away from one another, reassembled into new configurations which themselves disintegrate, as if straining towards an elusive articulacy.

Programme note © Richard BARRETT