Humboldt

 

Humboldt is a three-movement concert piece for brass octet in the form of a sonata cycle without the “scherzo.” It is melodic, thematic, and utilizes both quartal harmonies (chords made by stacking fourths instead of thirds) and mixed meters. It is typical of my usual “soft-core modern” style.

 

It is scored for 2 Bb Trumpets, Flugelhorn, French Horn, 2 Trombones, Euphonium, and Tuba. It will also work well as a brass choir piece. 

 

The name comes from a brass festival held annually at Humboldt College; it is dedicated to my old friend and fellow-tubist, Bruce Camblin, who introduced me to octet scoring.

 

Humboldt sells for $30.00 for the hard copy,                                            $25 for the pdf’s

 

Humboldt is not recorded, so the mp3’s for the three movements are FINALE MIDI audio extracts (not a great sound, but you get the idea of what the piece sounds like).