Instrumentation: Brass Quintet (Two trumpets, horn, trumpet, tuba)
Duration: 3’30”
Program Note:
Adagio in A-flat Major is the first decent piece I wrote when I was getting into composition at the age of 17. After the first three or four pieces I wrote taught me a ton about notation, orchestration, form, and the concept of creating music in general, everything came together in this composition to be something I still stand by and think holds up (though, I’ve gone back to make revisions a few times since formally studying composition in university). A simple tune, Adagio is a lyrical exploration of tonal harmony featuring feelings of yearning and hope thanks to subtle dissonances and suspensions scattered throughout the music. This composition taught me a lot about extended tonal harmonies that I still incorporate in my writing to this day.
Chris Evan Hass, Composer 