lament - solo trombone and piano

Gustav Holst's majestic, noble, symphonic tune from "The Planets" is here set with a bold introduction, a simple statement of the theme, and two peaceful variations.  Commissioned by Manchester United Methodist Church in Missouri for the tenth anniversary of organist John Cargile, this piece is performed here by the composer, played on the Schoenstein organ at First-Plymouth Church in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Variations on "THAXTED" by Tom Trenney

Having grown up on a small farm in southwestern Minnesota, Charlie Leftridge spent his childhood deeply involved in nature and the rural church. In this way, Leftridge gained a deep-seated love for both natural aesthetics and hymnody. These aspects color much of his unique compositional voice.
Leftridge received his Masters of Music in Music Composition from the University of Nebraska, Lincoln. Prior to that, he studied at Concordia College, performing with the Concordia Choir, under the direction of Dr. René Clausen.
Leftridge’s works have been performed all over the nation, most recently by MNSU Chamber Singers, under the direction of David Dickau, as well as the Kansas City VITAs, under the direction of Jackson Thomas. He had the unique opportunity to have his thesis project, a cantata for double choir and string quartet, premiered in Seattle, Washington by the esteemed Esoterics, under the direction of Dr. Eric Banks. Leftridge also presented “The Cantata as a Medium for Contemporary Composition and Performance” at the NDSU Choral Symposium in 2015, and has been selected to compose at The Walden School’s Creative Musicians Retreat.
Leftridge currently serves as the Executive Director of The Grand Center for Arts & Culture in New Ulm, Minnesota.

lament - solo trombone and piano

Charlie Leftridge, composer

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