Interplay for Bassoon, Tuba and Piano

Interplay was composed for the Maxwell Trio an ensemble consisting of Kansas State University faculty members with the unusual combination of instruments of bassoon tuba and piano. It was premiered at the 2013 International Double Reed Society Conference. The title of this three-movement work was derived from the large use of counterpoint throughout the composition. The first movement is in a quasi sonata form. The second movement is in an ABA form. The middle section of this movement uses an ostinato to accompany the melodic interplay. The last movement is lighter than the first two movements and utilizes a loose rondo form. Its allegro tempo and frequent meter changes add a humorous quality. The interplay in this movement relies less on counterpoint. Instead the shifting of colors through alternating the melodic material among the three instruments creates interplay between sections within the rondo form.