Music for string with one other instrument by Howard J. Buss

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Compositions and Arrangements
Grading Scale:
I-II: Easy
III-IV: Intermediate
V-VI: Advanced
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String with one other instrument
(works are in alphabetical order, durations are in parenthesis):        

ALPINE SPRING (2008) for flute & harp was composed for flutist Elena Cecconi. Its Italian subtitle, Riflessi sul lago alpino, translates as “Alpine Lake Reflections” and is suggestive of the glorious awakening of spring in the region south of the Dolomite Mountains in Italy. As one listens to this music it is easy to imagine the glistening reflections of the dramatic mountain peaks and vibrant green spring foliage in the lake. The work is divided into 2 main parts. The first is introspective and at times mysterious. The second part is in an ABA-Coda format and mixes soaring lyricism with crisp, energetic rhythms and colorful harmonies. Alpine Spring received its world premier in 2008 in Piacenza, Italy by flutist Elena Cecconi and harpist Paola Devoti. They recorded on the CD Flauto e arpa - Bottega Discantica BDI 187. (11'30") Grade V.


Score Samples: Excerpt 1.pdf, Excerpt 2.pdf , Excerpt 3.pdf

Sound Samples: Excerpt 1.mp3; Excerpt 2.mp3; Excerpt 3.mp3; Excerpt 4.mp3

Music available from Cimarron Music Press


CADENZAS AND INTERLUDES #1 "Memories from the Isle of Mull" for violin and alto saxophone is dedicated to Drs. Rachael and Stephen Fischer. It was inspired by the composer’s visit to the picturesque Isle of Mull in Scotland’s Inner Hebrides. Particularly memorable was a Saturday night Cèilidh* in the island’s capital, Tobermory, which included traditional music from the area. The Scottish musical influences are not direct in Cadenzas and Interludes #1; rather, their spirit is blended with soaring lyricism with a modern bent.
*Pronounced, Kay-lee. In Gaelic, a Cèilidh is a social gathering featuring music, storytelling, and dance. (11') Grade V.
Score samples: Excerpts.pdf

Music available from Cimarron Music Press



Divergences coverDIVERGENCES for clarinet and viola was written for clarinetist Dr. Allison Storochuk and violist Dr. Kirsten Weingartner Weiss. The 3 movements explore an array of moods and sonic atmospheres ranging from the mystical, to the contemplative, to soaring, vibrant passages: Recollections of Shared Times, Disparate Views, and Celebrations. The composer states, “The titles relate to a phenomenon that has long fascinated me: How is it that people such as siblings, who grow up in the same environment (home, family, teachers, and shared experiences), can turn out in later years to be very different from one another with their religious and political beliefs, preferences for food, travel, music, etc.  This is addressed generally in the duo, which is designed to be musically solid without any extra-musical, programmatic connotations. However, I think the titles and general character of the music will connect with many listeners and may make them think about the evolution of their own personal relationships.”
(12’) Grade V. -
YouTube video - Score sample: Excerpts.pdf

Sound samples: Movement 1.mp3; Movement 2.mp3; Movement 3.mp3

Music available from Cimarron Music Press



fables from Aesop for bass clarinet and violin coverFABLES FROM AESOP (2001) is in 5 movements: The Dog Who Chased a Lion, The Astronomer, The Camel Who Wanted Horns, The Crow and the Pitcher, and The Rabbits and the Frogs. Each movement begins with a performer reciting the corresponding fable. This piece is a hit with all types of audiences, including those comprised of children! “Buss employs a variety of meters, tonalities, and an equality of parts to set this duet apart from other instrumental duos of mixed descent. This is a captivating achievement of great variety and craftsmanship.” - reviewed by Joel Elias, July 2005 International Trombone Association Journal
(13’) Grade V. YouTube video
Fables from Aesop for violin and cello score samples:
Movement 1.pdf; Movement 2.pdf; Movement 3.pdf Movement 4.pdf; Movement 5.pdf
Fables from Aesop for trombone or bassoon and violin score samples:
Movement 1.pdf; Movement 2.pdf; Movement 3.pdf; Movement 4.pdf; Movement 5.pdf  
Fables from Aesop for horn and violin score samples (transposed score):
Movement 1.pdf; Movement 2.pdf; Movement 3.pdf; Movement 4.pdf; Movement 5.pdf
Fables from Aesop for violin and bass clarinet score samples (transposed score):
Movement1.pdf; Movement 2.pdf; Movement 3.pdf; Movement 4.pdf; Movement 5.pdf

Fables from Aesop for violin and alto sax score samples: Excerpts.pdf


- version for violin & horn, Music available from Cimarron Music Press

- version for violin & trombone (or bassoon) Music available from Cimarron Music Press

- version for violin & cello Music available from Cimarron Music Press

- version for violin & bass clarinet Music available from Cimarron Music Press

- version for violin & alto sax,
Music available from Cimarron Music Press



INNER QUEST (2011) for flute & harp was written for the Italian duo of Elena Cecconi, flute, and Paola Devoti, harp, captures a wide range of emotions. The character and musical development is analogous to the train of thoughts and feelings one may experience during a spell of internal dialog.
(7')  Grade V.
Sound samples: Excerpt 1.mp3; Excerpt 2.mp3; Excerpt 3.mp3

Music available from Cimarron Music Press



Luminous Horizons coverLUMINOUS HORIZONS for bassoon and harp was inspired by the spectacular photos of Pluto taken by the New Horizons probe. The title refers to one image in particular, the stunning backlit photo showing the illuminated blue sky of Pluto. The austere, yet beautiful surface of the planet reveals rugged mountains, craters, and ice plains. All of these observations are incorporated into the musical fabric of this work one way or another. Commissioned for Richard Meek and the 2016 IDRS Conference. (9’) Grade V.

Video on YouTube

Music available from Cimarron Music Press



Ricordi d' amore coverRICORDI D' AMORE “Memories of Love” for two harps was composed for the Italian harpists Paola Devoti and Elisabetta Ghebbioni and addresses the human ability that allows one to remember and feel love experienced long ago. The mood of the music hints at nostalgia, but at the same time is relatively bright and optimistic. It was premiered by Ms. Devoti and Ms. Ghebbioni in 2018 in Pordenone, Italy.
(5') Grade IV-V. Sound samples: Excerpt 1.mp3; Excerpt 2.mp3; Excerpt 3.mp3

Video on YouTube

Music available from Cimarron Music Press



SEASIDE REFLECTIONS (1993) captures the serenity of musing by the sea. The following poem by the composer may be narrated before the performance and/or printed in the program notes: “On the shore of eternity swirling currents of liquid chaos gather for and disperse as foam. As rock wears to sand all dissonance transforms to serenity. Time presses no longer.” Dedicated to Brian Luce and Carrol McLaughlin. (7’) Grade IV-V.
- version for flute & harp, Music available from Cimarron Music Press

- version for clarinet & harp, Music available from Cimarron Music Press

- version for oboe & harp, Music available from Cimarron Music Press

Version for flute & harp sound samples: Excerpt 1.mp3, Excerpt 2.mp3

Version for clarinet & harp sound sample: Excerpt.mp3 - Video on YouTube

Version for oboe & harp sound samples: Excerpt 1.mp3; Excerpt 2.mp3, Excerpt 3.mp3



TIME CAPSULE (2002) is a sonatina in 4 movements: Daybreak, Chorale, Rendezvous, and Homeward Bound. The first has a frolicking and optimistic character. Chorale breaks with the traditional structure of the chorale in that each phrase gets a measure longer. Rendezvous, is in a lilting 6/8 and "works up a lather" as it progresses to an exciting climax. The final movement, Homeward Bound, begins with a fanfare-like passage that gives way to a spirited dance. (7’) Grade IV.

- version for violin & B-flat clarinet, Music available from Cimarron Music Press

- version for two violins, Music available from Cimarron Music Press



WAVE TRAIN (1990) for flute & guitar. The interaction of the lyrical melodies in this beautiful and frequently performed work is reminiscent of the patterns created by intermingling waves on the surface of water. This work is recorded on the HoneyRock label by the McCormick Duo.
(6’15”) Grade IV-V.

Music available from Cimarron Music Press



THE WORLD WITHIN (1999) for clarinet and celloaddresses an individual's yearning to be reconnected with his spiritual past while at the same time endeavoring to be effective in business and social interactions in the modern world. Buss was fascinated by how an acquaintance was resolving this dichotomy in his own life. Six days a week he worked long days as a businessman, immersed in, and sometimes overwhelmed by, the fast-paced world of business. Yet without exception, he spent the entire day every Saturday at his Synagogue in worship, studying the Talmud, following ancient rituals, and reverently assisting the Rabbi. In this work the two worlds are represented by two markedly different compositional procedures. The former is represented with a highly-structured, lyrical 12-tone style. The latter is more spontaneous and is influenced by Jewish musical idioms. (10’) Grade V.
YouTube video - Sound Samples:Excerpt 1.mp3; Excerpt 2.mp3; Excerpt 3.mp3

Music available from Cimarron Music Press



ZOOM (2011) for bass trombone (or tuba) and harp was commissioned by Brandt Attema and Astrid Haring. It was inspired by the spectacular images as seen through a satellite camera as the composer zoomed in on the coastline of The Netherlands. The strong narrative quality of the music couples soaring lyricism with crisp, energetic rhythms and colorful harmonies, making this work accessible to a wide array of different types of audiences.
(10'30") Grade VI.
 Sound samples: Excerpt 1.mp3; Excerpt 2 .mp3; Excerpt 3.mp3; Excerpt 4.mp3

View at ZOOM: YouTube Video

Music available from Cimarron Music Press


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Howard J. Buss, Composer       

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Product description: String: Solos, Duos, Ensembles, Chamber Music and Recordings