Dos Havanas

A New Work for Solo Bass Trombone in two movements:

1. Cohiba esplindido
2. Bolivar bellicoso fino

‍

Cigars, like wine, are often marketed with fanciful, over-the-top descriptions.  When I undertook the composition of my solo bass trombone work, I decided I would base it on quotes from reviews of two Cuban cigars and entitle the piece Dos Havanas.  The first movement, Cohiba Esplendido, is characterized as “Subtle, but rich and complex.”  The second movement, Bolivar Belicoso Fino “Strong and earthy.”  These characterizations are used as the tempo markings for each movement.

Dos Havanas was written for virtuoso Bass Trombonist Jonathan Warburton. Together the two movements are about 6-minutes in length and are appropriate for virtuoso performers.