Lamont Downs:

Chamber Works

Concerto for Bass Trombone and Percussion * Divertimento for Brass Trio * Elegy for Violoncello and Piano (1989) * A (More or Less) Brief Diversion for Tenor, Trumpet, Trombone and! Percussion * Sonatina for Clarinet and Piano

Concerto for Bass Trombone and Percussion (1974)

The Concerto for Bass Trombone and Percussion was composed as part of the composer's graduate studies at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York, and completed on February 18, 1974. The work is scored for solo bass trombone, two pianos and percussion (four players). A conductor is required. The work may also be performed on a tenor trombone with F trigger.

Duration: ca. 20:00-25:00.

Instrumentation: Solo bass trombone, two pianos, four percussionists.

Availability: Ensemble Publications (P.O. Box 32, Ithaca, NY 14851-0032); catalog number NMC099. This work was originally published by Nichols Music Co. Perusal score available here as a free download.

Divertimento for Brass Trio (1965-66)

The Divertimento for Brass Trio was written in 1965-66 during the composer's private studies with the late Robert Witt of Youngstown State University (Ohio). The piece is in a classical style with three movements. Playable by a good high school group.

Duration: 8:00.

Instrumentation: Trumpet, horn in F, trombone.

Availability: Ensemble Publications (P.O. Box 32, Ithaca, NY 14851-0032); catalog number NMC0074. This work was originally published by Nichols Music Co.

Elegy for Violoncello and Piano (1989)

An introspective work contrasting long sustained violoncello glissandi against bell-like piano sonorities.

Duration: ca. 5:00.

Instrumentation: Violoncello, piano.

Availability: Free Download.

A (More or Less) Brief Diversion for Tenor, Trumpet, Trombone and! Percussion (4 poems of e e cummings) (1972)

The Brief Diversion pits a hapless tenor against a small band of brass and percussion, with 4 poems of e e cummings for ammunition. The poems used are:

the skinny voice
Space being(don't forget to remember)Curved
nobody loses all the time
my sweet old etcetera

The Brief Diversion was written during the composer's studies with Samuel Adler and Warren Benson at the Eastman School of Music. The work was begun in Spring of 1969, taken up again in December 1971, and completed on February 11, 1972. The first performance took place on March 2, 1972, with James Hopkins (tenor), Geoffrey Richter (trumpet), Stephen Kohlbacher (trombone) and David Nieske (percussion) performing.

Duration: 10:15.

Instrumentation: Tenor voice, trumpet, trombone, percussion (drum set and accessories).

Availability: Ensemble Publications (P.O. Box 32, Ithaca, NY 14851-0032); catalog number NMC100. This work was originally published by Nichols Music Co. Perusal score available here as a free download.

Sonata for B-flat clarinet and piano (1971)

The Clarinet Sonata was written in 1971. It received its first performance on March 19, 1972 by soloist Max O. Mogensen with the composer on piano.

Duration: ca. 13:30.

Instrumentation: Clarinet, piano

Availability: Free Download.

Sonatina for clarinet and piano (1968)

A very easy work for clarinet, with a piano part requiring some skill. Intended for young performer with experienced accompanist. In one movement.

Duration: ca. 3:00.

Instrumentation: Clarinet, piano

Availability: Free Download.