Gordon Cherry has been running Cherry Classics for over 20 years. He is a leading professional Trombonist in North America, having performed as Principal Trombonist of the Vancouver Symphony, and the CBC Radio Orchestra. As well, Gordon has taught hundreds of Brass students for over 30 years at the University of British Columbia and many international leading music festivals.Details
The composer's description of this fascinating, expressive and unique work:
"I wrote this piece after being inspired by the poem 'Colours' by Yevgeny Yevtushenko, an older contemporary poet who was of Russian heritage [recently deceased]. This coincided - of course - with the loss of my 'heart's desire'. I wrote one melodic note for each syllable of the English translation of the text. I came up with the melody in the left hand of the piano with right hand playing chords/lines above it. I re-wrote the chordal parts for the guitar [my true instrument] with the idea of a low voice singing the words below the guitar part. It seems the melody was not singable! However, I did not want to change it- I thought the melody was exactly as it should be."
This work is about 3 minutes in length and appropriate for advanced performers.
Listen to a live performance of this haunting work by Trombonist Michael Kris and Guitarist/Composer Billy Stewart: