Adages II for Bass Trombone and Piano

Adages II is the second in a series of compositions based on familiar sayings. It is composed for Dr. Joseph Murrell and is for bass trombone and piano. There are five movements in this composition. 1. Strike while the iron is hot This movement is in a fast tempo with a lot of syncopation and irregular meter change. The piano frequently plays two loud chords that indicate the striking. 2. Opposites attract The opposites in this movement are a swing style and a classical style. Each has its moments to shine and yet one clearly influences the other. 3. Stop and Smell the roses This movement is lyrical representing the beauty of smelling roses. A motif that contains rests is a reminder to stop and take time for the beautiful things in life. A contrapuntal middle section with steady sixteenth notes builds in intensity as another reminder that one needs to take time from the hectic pace of life to enjoy beauty. 4. Curiosity killed the cat This movement is mostly soft, staccato, and furtive representing the curiosity of the cat. A loud chord or succession of chords indicates the cat getting into trouble. This happens a total of nine times representing the cats nine lives before the cat is finally doomed. 5. Look before you leap As the adage implies, there are a lot of melodic leaps in this movement. Any scalar material or repeated note figures serve as a warning to look before one leaps.