Piano,Trombone - Level 5 - Digital Download

SKU: A0.1455537

By Alex Schwarte. By Alex Schwarte. 21st Century,Classical,Contemporary,New Age. Score and part. 26 pages. Alex Schwarte #1034623. Published by Alex Schwarte (A0.1455537).

I have been working on To Rise Again for about a year since the passing of several close family members. As with any long-term struggle, some days are easier than others, and some days it is hard to do much of anything at all. Walking through hard days, this piece is about mental health, the struggles that you face, and on the most difficult days, what it takes to rise again.

Despair: This movement opens with what I call the despair motif. This motif consists of seven notes and will return throughout the piece, reminding us of uncertainty and darkness. The middle of the movement includes a build-up leading to a complete panic attack, featuring cluster chords in the piano and extreme volumes and articulation in the trombone. Finally, a quasi-march leads us to the end, where we sink to the lowest and angriest point.

Support: This tranquil and shimmering movement evokes the other side of grief and depression: the people around you. In the dark moments, these people can become pillars of aid and light. Even with support, there are moments of darkness and uncertainty, but support will always be there. Musically, this movement features numerous color tones and aims to create an emotionally understanding and steady atmosphere. The opening trombone line (the support motif) represents tender support and is used numerous times in the next movement. 

Overcome: The final movement opens with a haunting atmosphere created by plucked piano strings. The first normal piano entrance is the Rumbling motif: the feeling of the soul exerting its will to be free but not quite making it. Throughout the rest of the movement, the trombone and piano go back and forth, with the piano emphasizing support and the trombone wallowing in despair. Eventually, the trombone begins to come around and rise. Concluding with a triumphant feeling of release, the mind is lifted from despair, free and open to whatever life brings next. 

Mental health looks different for everyone, and I want to reflect that in this composition. For all future performances, the performers can make significant musical changes to better reflect their own challenges. This could be as small as a different tempo or as large as a completely different style and articulation. To Rise Again is very personal to me, and I want every performance of it to be just as personal.

Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLDoVD8lbKulOjUbvdKcc9phxPNOgYLDuh.