top of page

CONTEMPORARY MUSIC FOR TROMBONE

The trombone’s expressive range — from lyrical warmth to bold, resonant power — has always inspired my writing. This page gathers my contemporary music for trombone across solo works, chamber pieces, and stage music. Performers and teachers will find repertoire that explores the instrument’s color, agility, and dramatic presence.

Contemporary Music for Trombone

Contemporary Music for Trombone

Modern trombone repertoire has expanded significantly over the past century, with composers exploring new colors, extended techniques, and expressive possibilities. My works for trombone reflect this evolution, offering pieces that range from intimate solos to vibrant chamber settings. The sections below present my contributions to the trombone repertoire across solo, chamber, and theatrical contexts.

CHAMBER MUSIC FOR TROMBONE


Samsara
for trombone and piano
11' | tenor trombone and piano
 

Paper Tigers
for brass trio
9' 30" | trumpet, horn and trombone
 

Gitz & Spitz Suite
for brass quintet
14' | trumpets (2), French horn, trombone, tuba
 

After a Tango
for chamber ensemble
16' | recorders (3), clarinet, trumpet, trombone, guitar, percussion, violin, double bass​
 

Desperado Stoplight
for brass sextet
7'30" | 2 trumpets, 2 horns, 2 trombones
 

VOCAL MUSIC WITH TROMBONE


The Sea of Sunset

for soprano / mezzo-soprano and ensemble

8' | soprano / mezzo-soprano, tenor trombone, piano and double bass

​

STAGE MUSIC WITH TROMBONE


Gitz & Spitz  

for actor and chamber ensemble

50' | actor; clarinet, alto saxophone, bassoon; horn; trumpet; trombone, tuba and percussion (1) 
 

Sheet Music for Trombone:

About Contemporary Trombone Repertoire

The trombone repertoire of the 20th and 21st centuries includes a wide range of solo works, sonatas, chamber pieces, and concertos that have shaped the instrument’s modern identity. The list below highlights influential works that are frequently performed, studied, and recorded. This curated selection is offered as a resource for performers and teachers exploring contemporary trombone music, alongside my own works for the instrument.

Key 20th–21st Century Trombone Repertoire

Solo Unaccompanied Trombone

  • Hans Abrahamsen: Kharon (2009)

  • Kalevi Aho: Solo XIII (2017)

  • Georges Aperghis: Ruinen (1994)

  • Malcolm Arnold: Fantasy for Trombone, Op. 101 (1969)

  • Richard Barrett: Basalt (1991)

  • Leslie Bassett: Suite for Unaccompanied Trombone (1957)

  • Luciano Berio: Sequenza V (1966)

  • Leonard Bernstein: Elegy for Mippy II (1948)

  • Howard J. Buss: A Day in the City (1986)

  • John Cage: Solo for Sliding Trombone (1958)

  • Elliott Carter: Retracing V (2011)

  • David Cope: B.T.R.B. (Bass Trombone) (1971)

  • Peter Maxwell Davies: Judas Mercator (2004)

  • David Del Tredici: The Felix Variations (Bass Trombone) (2010)

  • Franco Donatoni: Scaglie (1992)

  • Pascal Dusapin: Indeed (1987)

  • Vinko Globokar: Échanges (1973)

  • Tom Johnson: Sequenza Minimalista (1993)

  • Vincent Persichetti: Parable XVIII, Op. 133 (1975)

  • Folke Rabe: Basta (1982)

  • Frederic Rzewski: Last Judgement (1969)

  • Giacinto Scelsi: Tre Pezzi (1957)

  • Karlheinz Stockhausen: In Freundschaft (1977)

  • Karlheinz Stockhausen: Signale zur Invasion (1992)

  • Christian Wolff: Peggy (1993)

  • Iannis Xenakis: Keren (1986)
     

Trombone and Piano

  • Paul Hindemith: Sonata for Trombone and Piano (1941)

  • Frank Martin: Ballade for Trombone and Piano (1940)

  • Eric Ewazen: Sonata for Trombone and Piano (1993)

  • Stjepan Sulek: Sonata (Vox Gabrieli) (1973)

  • Jacques Castérède: Sonatine for Trombone and Piano (1957)

  • Lior Navok: Samsara (2023) — An 11-minute work exploring the "Wheel of Suffering."

Trombone Concertos and Orchestral Works

  • Lauri Grøndahl: Concerto for Trombone and Orchestra (1924)

  • Christopher Rouse: Trombone Concerto (1991)

  • Henri Tomasi: Trombone Concerto (1956)

  • Nino Rota: Concerto for Trombone and Orchestra (1966)

  • Kazimierz Serocki: Concerto for Trombone and Orchestra (1953)

  • Jan Sandström: Motorbike Concerto (1989)

  • James MacMillan: Trombone Concerto (2016)

  • Leopold Mozart (arr. Plog/Wagenhäuser): Concerto for Alto Trombone 

bottom of page