Hellbent (2021)

for trumpet and orchestra (2.2.2.2 4.2.3.1, tmp, 2 perc, hp, strings)

Duration: 10’

Written for and first performed by Owen Morris and the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra conducted by Johannes Fritzsch

Archival recording available on request

Program Note

Hellbent is a celebration of the trumpet as a solo voice, written specifically for Owen Morris. The work embraces the versatility of the trumpet, exploring multiple personas ranging from wild and cheeky to sweet and dark to powerful and full-throttled. There’s also a smattering of bluesy-ness! The solo part is continually punctuated by bent notes, sculpted by a plunger mute, which trickles down into the orchestral textures (particularly the brass) as pitch and colour distortions. Zooming out, on a structural level, each section is almost bent out of shape and stretched into the next, morphing material together, with the orchestra bending to the whim of the trumpet. Hear how the trumpet whips them into shape with its persuasive powers!

Trumpet is my first instrument and my original avenue into music. Writing the work had hints of ‘retuning to my roots’, allowing me to explore aspects of the trumpet’s sound that initially attracted me to the instrument. At first glance, the title Hellbent may sound aggressive, yet literally refers to the soloist as a determined force against (and with) the orchestra. I vividly recall a moment towards the end of the first draft, telling myself that I was ‘hellbent’ on finishing the piece! I suppose I was determined too.

Performances

22 April, Owen Morris and Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, Johannes Fritzsch, Hamer Hall, Melbourne, 8:30pm

24 April, Owen Morris and Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, Johannes Fritzsch, Hamer Hall, Melbourne, 2pm