Athens Sonata

While this is a duet, the first and third movements are frequently meant for the trombone to be used as a solo instrument, while the second movement puts the trombone in the accompaniment figure position. The third movement puts both instruments as accompaniment and melody, and much of the writing in the marimba is inspired by the piano.

Program Notes

Athens Sonata was written in the fall of 2004, after discovering that there were very few pieces written originally for trombone and marimba. The piece was premiered by myself and trombonist Daniel Rice at a faculty recital given at Concord University in February 2005.

The title, “Athens Sonata,” comes from the fact that the piece was written at Concord University in Athens, WV, and that it is uses the fast-slow-fast sonata form of the Classical era.

Some of the figures that are written throughout for the marimba are meant to resemble drum fills. While this is a duet, the first and third movements are frequently meant for the trombone to be used as a solo instrument, while the second movement puts the trombone in the accompaniment figure position. The third movement puts both instruments as accompaniment and melody, and much of the writing in the marimba is inspired by the piano.

Grade Level: 3
Copyright: 2010
Number of Players: 2
Duration: 11:20

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Sample PDF

Instrumentation

Trombone
Marimba (5-octave)