Product Overview
In November of 2017, the double reed world lost a great friend in Bruce Gbur. He was a terrific performer, a wealth of historical knowledge, and an entrepreneur having started the Prairie Dawg Press publishing house. He was also one of the first adjuncts I had hired when I took a college band job. He and I had lunch every Wednesday for two years at which we had many wonderful conversations and became friends.
Upon learning of his sudden passing, I was put in touch with Craig Parker, a professor of music (and trumpet player) who had worked with Bruce at Kansas State University. He invited me to write a piece for Bruce's memorial concert on December 12, 2017, at KSU.
I, of course, answered the request in honor of my friend with this Elegy for Trumpet and Piano. It begins with a heartbeat and sings a song of sadness (but, also, of good memories). As the piece progresses, the heartbeat is always present. As we reach the conclusion, the heartbeat slows until we get one final heartbeat and an ascent into heaven.
With sincerest thanks to Craig Parker, this Elegy (which became the second movement of my contrabassoon sonata) is dedicated to my friend, the late Bruce Gbur.
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