Inversion of Relief

2003    Dur. 2:59    Stereo

It wasn’t until I had finished this composition that I decided to call it Inversion of Relief. It’s a geographical term that refers to a rock formation that is exposed after the surrounding ground has gradually eroded away. This seemed fitting because the overall feeling in the music is one of strength and determination, and you know it will still be there after everything else is long gone.

I wrote this piece on spec for The Median Arts Ensemble, a brass quintet in New York City that I’m crazy about. The composition was scored for brass quintet plus drum set, their standard instrumentation for performances and recordings. Alas, they gave it a read-through and decided to pass on it ………. say what? As a composer I was quite pleased with it. Thankfully I have this MIDI rendition to offer.