This sequence is based on the second theme from the first movement of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s 6th Symphony. Melody Master Tchaikovsky was a master melody maker and one of the reasons his music is still so popular today is the…
This piece is based on the clever and winding melody from the Waltz #2 from Dimitri Shostakovich‘s Suite for Variety Orchestra. Fun facts In a fun bit of music trivia, this piece was long mislabeled as the “lost” Suite for…
In April I celebrated the marriage of my friends Trevor and Nikki by sequencing Wagner’s Bridal Chorus from Lohengrin. Today I am celebrating another dear friend from college, John, as he weds his perfect match, Sherine. This sequence is based…
This sequence is based on the melody of Alexei Lvov’s hymn, God Save the Tsar, which is featured prominently in Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture. History 1812 Overture was written in 1880 to commemorate the successful Russian defense against the invasion by…
This sequence is based on a winding chromatic motive in the Infernal Dance from Igor Stravinsky‘s ballet, The Firebird. I want to devote this sequence to my friends at ArtHaus who will be bringing Stravinsky’s Firebird to Burning Man this…
This sequence is based on the beautiful melody featured in the middle of Jupiter: The Bringer of Jollity from Gustav Holst’s orchestral masterwork, The Planets. This sequence is dedicated to the British Trombone Society. The Tune I have had the…
This sequence is based on the first Piccolo Trumpet solo from Penny Lane by The Beatles. During a recording session on January 12th, 1967, Paul McCartney couldn’t stop talking about a “tiny little trumpet” that he had seen on a…
This sequence is one of my favorite themes composed by legendary film composer John Williams for the Star Wars movies. Leitmotif Similar to Richard Wagner’s compositional style in Der Ring des Nibelungen, John Williams masterfully connects characters and themes to…
This sequence is from the 2009 Pixar film UP, with music by Oscar-winning composer, Michael Giacchino. Powerful Music Before playing this movie with the San Francisco Symphony last week, I got to hear composer Giacchino and Director Pete Doctor address…
This sequence comes from Muse‘s song Hysteria from their 3rd album, Absolution. Big thanks to Bass Trombone BEAST Brian Hecht for requesting this tune. Talent and Self Belief I don’t believe in talent. The idea of Talent conflicts with my…