Going Down was commissioned by the Royal Northern College of Music (Wind & Percussion Department) for international tuba virtuoso Jim Gourlay. It was premiered by Jim Gourlay at the RNCM International Tuba and Euphonium Festival on 15 November 2003. Scored for solo tuba and backing track, all sounds on the track originate from the tuba itself. The piece is structured in three main sections:
Duration: 9'45"
Difficulty: Advanced (ideal for college recitals, competitions, and professional concerts)
Special thanks to Jim Gourlay and Steve Williams (studio engineer/producer) for their invaluable expertise.
- The introduction features four phrases accompanied by breathing noises.
- The second section opens with key clicks and percussive effects, then moves through an angular jazz-influenced melody, a quieter harmonic passage with slap tonguing and inhaled sounds, and builds into strong Latin/jazz-funk rhythms.
- A solo cadenza leads into the final reflective and calm section, where the tuba finally explores its lowest register down to low C.
Duration: 9'45"
Difficulty: Advanced (ideal for college recitals, competitions, and professional concerts)
Special thanks to Jim Gourlay and Steve Williams (studio engineer/producer) for their invaluable expertise.
