Solo Tuba

Unaccompanied; tuba part comes with C, B-flat and E-flat parts

Part of the VTEC 2021 solo competition:

Tuba - 16-19: Blue Grace (Claire Sievers)

Tuba Solo and Symphonic Brass

(4 Horns, 3 Trumpets, 3 Trombones and Bass Trombone)

Recorded on Oystein Baadsvik's "Snowflakes - Classical Christmas"

with Piano

HVATI was commissioned by acclaimed Norwegian hornist Froydis Ree Wekre for the renowned Norwegian tuba soloist Øystein Baadsvik. The title is Old Norse for "motivator" or "catalyst". This work was inspired by "hvati" with its vigorous energy and stimuli; instruments initiate movement and change. The piece was also informed by having had the special opportunity to meet with Øystein in Trondheim, Norway, thanks to Froydis Ree Wekre.

The form is a loose ABA structure containing several primary themes that undergo variation and spark propulsive rhythms. A central lyrical section provides a momentary calm; references to earlier material eventually gain momentum and propel the work forward to its close.

The composer wishes to thank Froydis Ree Wekre for her generosity and the Helene Wurlitzer Foundation of New Mexico for providing invaluable time and space to compose this work.

unaccompanied

This piece is inspired by the Mechanicals from Shakespeare’s 'A Midsummer Night’s Dream'.

Bottom is perhaps the most well-known of the Mechanicals and is a comic character whose head is turned into an ass in the play. Flute is a bellows maker. Quince is the director of the play within the play ‘Pyramus and Thisbe’ that the Mechanicals put on and often struggles to fit his lines into the correct meter and make rhymes. Snug plays 

the lion in ‘Pyramus and Thisbe’. He is keen to assure the audience that he is not an actual lion in case they get scared. Snout plays the wall that the lovers speak through and has only two lines. Starveling plays the moonshine and is utterly derided by the audience. 

The Mechanicals should be played with a brief pause between each movement, except for Snout, which should lead straight into Starveling.

unaccompanied

I. Praeludium

II. Getting Around

III. Simple Song

IV. Off Waltz

V. Pompous March

VI. Faux Gigue