String Music: Trios, by Howard J. Buss

Strings in chamber music - trios
(works are in alphabetical order, durations are in parenthesis):


AWAKENING is a soulful composition influenced by the Jewish Klezmer idiom. The music moves from a mystical, contemplative opening to an energetic finale. Color is added to the ensemble with the use of wind chimes, finger cymbals, and finger rolls on the body of the string bass. This work is a memorable addition to a concert, and because of its spiritual nature, makes a wonderful musical offering in a house of worship.
(7’)  Grade IV.
- version for alto flute, guitar and string bass, Score Sample (score in C): Opening.pdf
Music available from Cimarron Music Press

- version for clarinet, guitar and string bass,Sound Samples: Excerpt 1.mp3;

Excerpt 2.mp3; Excerpt 3.mp3 - Music available from Cimarron Music Press

 
IN THE MIRROR OF TIME (2003) for clarinet, violin and cello is in two movements: Recollections and Moving On. The first is lyrical and sweet and is permeated by a nostalgic ambience. The second retains some of the sentimentality of the first, but is more animated and pushes forward suggesting the relentless progression of time. Each movement is about 5 minutes in duration.
(10’) Grade V.
YouTube videos: Movement I."Recollections", Movement II."Moving On"

Sound Samples:Movement 1A.mp3; Movement 1B.mp3 Movement 2A.mp3

Music available from Cimarron Music Press

JAZZICAL #8 “Four Synergies” for violin, alto saxophone, and piano was composed during the fall of 2025. It is four movements: Lyrical Convergences, Enchanted Chroma, Lilty, and Fusion Fantasia. This work may be played on a 4-octave marimba. Cimarron Music Press also publishes this work in a version for violin, alto sax, and marimba. (14’30”) Grade V.
Scores samples and a recording is at
https://www.cimarronmusic.com/jazzical8foursynergiesviolinsaxpiano

Music available from Cimarron Music Press

JAZZICAL #8 “Four Synergies” for violin, alto saxophone, and marimba was composed during the fall of 2025 for Drs. Rachael Fischer, violin; Stephen Fischer, alto sax; and Todd Mueller, marimba. It was premiered by these artists on April 6, 2026 at Georgia Gwinnet College in Lawrenceville, Georgia. It is four movements: Lyrical Convergences, Enchanted Chroma, Lilty, and Fusion Fantasia. This work may be played on a 4-octave marimba. The percussionist has a choice to read from the score or the marimba part. Cimarron Music Press also publishes this work in a version for violin, alto sax, and piano. (14’30”) Grade V.
Scores samples and a recording is at
https://www.cimarronmusic.com/jazzical8foursynergiesviolinsaxmarimba

Music available from Cimarron Music Press

JAZZICAL #8 “Four Synergies” for flute, cello, and marimba was composed during the summer and fall of 2025. It is four movements: Lyrical Convergences, Enchanted Chroma, Lilty, and Fusion Fantasia. This work may be played on a 4-octave marimba. The percussionist has a choice to read from the score or the marimba part. Cimarron Music Press also publishes this work in a version for flute, cello, and piano. (14’30”) Grade V.
Scores samples and a recording is at https://www.cimarronmusic.com/jazzical8foursynergiesflutecellomarimba

Music available from Cimarron Music Press

JAZZICAL #8 “Four Synergies” for flute, cello, and piano was composed during the summer and fall of 2025. It is four movements: Lyrical Convergences, Enchanted Chroma, Lilty, and Fusion Fantasia. Cimarron Music Press also publishes this work in a version for flute, cello, and marimba.
(14’30”) Grade V.
Scores samples and a recording is at https://www.cimarronmusic.com/jazzical8foursynergiesflutecellopiano

Music available from Cimarron Music Press

REMEMBRANCES (2000) was written immediately following the death of the composer's 97-year-old grandmother. Rather than being a somber memorial or musical epitaph, this melodious work is a celebration of life. The work finishes in a spirit of buoyant optimism.
(8’) Grade IV.
version for clarinet, cello and piano Sound samples: Excerpt 1.mp3; Excerpt 2.mp3;

Excerpt 3 .mp3-  Score sample: Excerpt.pdf - Music available from Cimarron Music Press

version for flute, cello and piano Sound samples: Excerpt 1.mp3; Excerpt 2.mp3;

Excerpt 3.mp3 - Score sample: Excerpt.pdf - Music available from Cimarron Music Press

- version for trumpet, cello and piano Sound samples: Excerpt 1.mp3; Excerpt 2.mp3;

Excerpt 3.mp3 - Score sample: Excerpt.pdf - Music available from Cimarron Music Press

REVERIE (1992) for clarinet, viola and piano. This work was commissioned by Luis Rossi and the Trio de Buenos Aires. It was premiered by this ensemble in Madrid, Spain at the Circulo de Bellas Artes in 1994. As the title suggests, the music is contemplative.
(10’30”) Grade V. View on YouTube

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

Music available from Cimarron Music Press

SAINT FRANCIS AND THE ANIMALS for flute, clarinet and harp is a tribute to St. Francis of Assisi, the venerated Catholic friar, preacher, founder of several Orders, and lover of animals and the environment. The 2 movements, The Birds, and The Wolf, musically portray 2 of the many well-known stories of how Saint Francis communicated with animals.This work was commissioned by Kathleen Jones for ClarinetFest 2013 in Assisi, Italy. (11’30”) Grade V-VI.
Sound Samples: Movement I, excerpt 1.mp3; Movement 1, excerpt 2.mp3;

Movement II, excerpt 1.mp3; Movement II, excerpt 2.mp3; Movement II, excerpt 3.mp3

Videos on YouTube: I. The Birds, and II. The Wolf

Music available from Cimarron Music Press

SONIC TAPESTRIES for violin, alto sax, and piano was written for Drs. Rachael and Stephen Fischer for the 2020 North American Saxophone Alliance Conference. The 3 movements explore a diversity of moods and intriguing musical atmospheres and textures. Variegated, Pensive, Cosmopolitan Strands.
Total duration without pauses: 11’ Grade V. - YouTube video

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

Movement 2: Excerpt 1.mp3; Excerpt 2.mp3; Excerpt 3.mp3

Movement 3: Excerpt 1.mp3; Excerpt 2.mp3; Excerpt 3.mp3 - Score sample: Excerpt.pdf 

Music available from Cimarron Music Press

SPRING REVERIE for viola, cello, and bassoon was composed during the spring of 2022 for bassoonist Christopher Jewell. This lyrical work showcases the beautiful sonority of the chamber ensemble. It was inspired by the glorious appearance of lush foliage on trees after a long winter. The character of the music is meditative, reflective, and at times conveys a hint of reverence. Spring Reverie received its world premier on March 16, 2023 in the Millennium Theatre of the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. by members of the Kennedy Center Opera Orchestra.
(10'30") Grade V. Score sample: Excerpt.pdf

Sound samples: Excerpt 1.mp3; Excerpt 2.mp3, Excerpt 3.mp3

Music available from Cimarron Music Press

TENNESSEE SUITE (2001) for flute, viola and piano was inspired by the composer’s visit to the Smoky Mountains. It is in four movements: Mystic Dawn, Treetop Capers, Cades Cove and The Trail to Abrams Falls. Written for flutist Dr. Shelley Binder. (13’) Grade V.
Sound Samples: Movement 1.mp3; Movement 2.mp3; Movement 3.mp3;

Video on YouTube

Music available from Cimarron Music Press

TEMPORAL PORTRAITS for for violin doubling on viola, clarinet doubling on bass clarinet, and piano musically celebrates the human ability to recall details and images of people from long ago having had, at the time, only superficial encounters with them. The composer states: “I have been amazed how after almost six decades it is possible to remember the names, faces, and specific details of high school classmates with whom I had very little contact at the time, and who I have not seen since graduation. While writing this composition I recalled four classmates with whom all I had in common with each were occasional, casual encounters during which words were seldom or never exchanged. Each movement is a sonic portrait that captures the atmosphere I associate with the respective person.” The work is in 4 movements: Energico, ma non troppo, Dolce, Mysterioso, and Con spirito.  TEMPORAL PORTRAITS was composed for Dr. Allison Storochuk, professor of clarinet at the Missouri State University, Kirsten Weingartner Weiss, principal violist with the Springfield Symphony, and Dr. Perry Mears, professor of collaborative piano at Missouri State University. It received its world premiere by these musicians on March 10, 2025 at MSU in Springfield, Missouri. (12’30”) Grade VI.
Score sample: Excerpts.pdf - Video

Sound samples: Excerpt, movement 1.mp3; Excerpt, movement 2.mp3;

Excerpt, movement 3.mp3; Excerpt, movement 4.mp3

Music is available from Cimarron Music Press

WHERE NOW RUSTS THE IRON? for baritone voice, violin, and piano is a musical tribute to the composer’s grandfather, Howard J. Buss Sr. (1893-1966,) and the many ironworkers of his day, who worked under brutal conditions with the dream of making life better for future generations.
The text was written by the composer in 1994 and revised in 2026. It celebrates the idea that all forms of labor, when done with honesty, sincerity, and commitment, deserve respect and are fundamental to one’s humanity. It speaks to the dignity inherent in the labor and aspirations of those who work with their hands.
This work was premiered on March 24, 2026 on the Allentown Symphony Orchestra’s New Chamber Music Concert held in the Resurrected Life Church (also known as the Liberty Bell Church) in Allentown, Pennsylvania by Michael Kelly, baritone; Eliezer Gutman, violin; and Holly Roadfelt, piano. (8’) Grade V. The text.pdf 

Note to the vocalist: The written vocal range of this work is from an optional A2 to G4; however, the tessitura is moderate. Ideally, the notes should be sung in the notated octave. In the short passage that descends to a low A, the vocalist is given the option to perform the notes an octave higher than written.

Music available from Cimarron Music Press

(Top of Page)

String Music Index:
Click on an instrumentation link, works are listed in alphabetical order within each category.

String solos, unaccompanied

Guitar

Harp

String with one other instrument

String ensembles

Strings in chamber music - trios

Strings in chamber music - quartets

Strings in chamber music - quintets and larger

Howard J. Buss, Composer       

Search by Instrumentation

String Music, catalog of sheet music.
Product description: String Music: Solos, Duos, Chamber Music and Recordings