Ian Deterling

Duet in G Minor, Op. 17

Duet in G Minor, Op. 17 (2022)

  • flexible instrumentation

  • ca. 3:30

    • Commissioned by Jonathan Warburton, bass trombone

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Program Notes

This ‘Grimm’ duet was inspired by Grimmwelt Kassel (Grimms’ World in Kassel, Germany). Playfully meandering through an ominous storybook setting, this dark waltz will keep your audience on the edge of their seats.

  • Jonathan Warburton first approached me with the idea of commissioning a new chamber work for bass trombone in autumn of 2021. Leaving the instrumentation up to me, I decided to originally pair the bass trombone with cello because of how well their contrasting timbres compliment each other.

  • Shortly after first talking with Mr. Warburton, I traveled to Germany for about two months. While staying in Kassel, I spent an afternoon at Grimmwelt Kassel, a museum dedicated to the  fairytales and dictionary work of the Brothers Grimm. I grew up on Grimms’ Fairytales, so I was fascinated and in awe of being able to look upon their handwritten letters, notes, belongings - even a silver box that was displaying Jacob Grimm’s teeth! 

  • After returning from Germany, I began developing ideas for this piece, using my experience at Grimmwelt Kassel as a basis for inspiration. Half-step motions on beats 2-3 and 5-6 (BTbn measures 5 and 6) give the music an unsettling waltz-like lurch as it quickly meanders unexpectedly from one key center to another. Writing music is like creating an abstract story; the various melodies and motifs are individual chargers while the accompaniments are different settings where these characters develop and interact with one another. 

    • Commissioned by Jonathan Warburton, bass trombone

  • Originally for Cello (Part 1) and Bass Trombone (Part 2), I’ve adapted this duet for a variety of instrument combinations:

    • Part 1

      • Flute

      • Clarinet in Bb

      • Alto Clarinet in Eb

      • Bass Clarinet in Bb (Low Eb and Low C versions are both included)

      • Contra Alto Clarinet

      • Bassoon

      • Alto Saxophone

      • Tenor Saxophone

      • Baritone Saxophone

      • Horn in F

      • Trombone

      • Bass Trombone

      • Tuba

      • Viola

      • Violoncello

    • Part 2

      • Bass Clarinet in Bb (Low Eb and Low C versions are both included)

      • Contrabass Clarinet

      • Bassoon

      • Contrabassoon

      • Baritone Saxophone

      • Bass Trombone

      • Tuba

      • Violoncello

      • Contrabass

  • Score and complete set of parts

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