Elegy for solo tuba

Digital Sheet Music

By Robert Chamberlin

Item Number: A0.917229

Dr. Gary Bird assembled and edited a volume in 1994 called"Program Notes for the Solo Tuba."  Init, he assembled information on what were determined to be the eighty-eightmost important works for solo tuba written to that point in time.    Robert Chamberlin’s "Elegy" (for solo tuba)was very deservedly included in the catalogue of works in that very importantassemblage.   

"Elegy" was composed in 1981 for tubist, Jerry Young, andwas written in collaboration with both Young and Daniel Perantoni.    It was composed as a response to theassassination of Anwar Sadat, the Egyptian head-of-state who, along withIsraeli Premier Menachem Begin and U.S. President Jimmy Carter, forged thepeace agreement between those two countries that endures to this day.  Chamberlin said: "It is an expression of mysadness and anger that people resort to that particular type of violence forpolitical gain."    Since its premiereperformance by Jerry Young at Webster University in 1981, the work has beenperformed in many venues by many soloists, and it almost always resonates withand touches very diverse audiences.  Thework uses a wide variety of expressive techniques, including multiphonics, pitchbends, half-valve technique, glissandi, whispering through the instrument, andthe tuba mute.  Perhaps the moststriking and emotionally touching effect is that the entire work is played withthe bell of the instrument pointed into the open lid of a grand piano with thesustain pedal depressed.    The harmonicand echo-like acoustic effects created are stunning in every performance andvenue.    This is an outstanding musicalartwork appropriate for any recital, but also very effective in settings whereunexpected or tragic loss are being marked.   It speaks to listeners of all backgrounds in a very pronounced way thatfew works seem to achieve.    While it isin every sense a virtuoso work, it is one that repeatedly rewards bothperformer and audience.

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