Alex Knutrud: Tarmac

Tarmac is a virtuosic solo for unaccompanied bass trombone that showcases breadth and depth of musical and technical possibility. Evocative of the density of organized insanity that happens on the landing and taxiing space at an airport, Tarmac provides the performer an opportunity to embrace a small step over the edge of comfort. Tarmac, the material that such runways are made up of, is made up of crushed stone bound together by smoldering tar. Not dissimilarly, this piece is constructed of very disjunct and aggressive motives and individual notes, bound together by sweeping smears, slurs, and phrases with clear and concise structure. I hope you enjoy performing this as much as the audience will enjoy listening to it.