Elegy for Mippy II for Solo Trombone (1948)
by Leonard Bernstein
(notes provided by Scott
Anderson)
The brass music set from 1948 was commissioned by the
Julliard Musical Foundation for members of the New York Philharmonic brass
section. These pieces at the peak of Bernstein's integration of jazz
and ethnic sensibilities into classical music. The Elegy for Mippy
II was written "for ;my brother Burtie" and is a eulogy for the second coming
of his beloved dog. The performer is instructed to accompany the music
by tapping the foot "four to the bar". No kidding.