Christian paarup

TRANSMOGRIFY, CCP 1 (2016)

Trombone octet

World Premiere: February 5, 2017

University of Florida International Brass Festival at the University of Florida [Gainesville, FL]
- University of Florida Trombone Choir
- Erik Shinn, conductor

Transmogrify (2016) by Christian Paarup, is the first of what will become a series of compositions commissioned by Erik Shinn and the University of Florida Trombone Studio, titled the "Collegiate Commissions Project" or "CCP".  The goal of CCP, is to present works for various trombone mediums (solo, ensemble) that will be challenging yet accessible to accomplished undergraduate-level collegiate trombonists.

The World Premier took place on February 5, 2017 at the  University of Florida International Brass Festival in Gainesville, Florida (February 4-5).  Subsequent consortium premieres took place at the 2017 International Trombone Festival (Redlands, CA), American Trombone Workshop (Fort Myer, VA), various state-wide Music Educators Association Conferences, as well as local collegiate venues.  The work becomes available for purchase on January 1st, 2018.

Program Notes

Transmogrify: to change or alter greatly and often with grotesque or humorous effect.

While no attempt was made to harmonically resemble the beautiful, stark main theme from Alejandro González Iñárritu's The Revenant, composed by Ryuichi Sakamoto, the idea of simple dissonances welling to contemplative silence inspired the beginning of this work.  The entire piece grows out of the opening dissonant chords, and transforms through many guises, thus the title Transmogrify.