Buoyancy

a brass quintet by Lars Campbell

Buoyancy is a tonal reminder of how the world felt as March 2020 unfolded into our everyday lives: communities holing up, turning inwards, and shutting down across the world. The introduction evokes the state of the times, the tuba calling out into the world and a horn melody responding to that plea with introspection. The middle section is built with competing meters over a tuba ostinato, acting like a plucked cello in its insistent pattern, its mixed meter not always in alignment with the rest of the group, but finally calling out in a rough, low rumble that leads the ensemble into its floating coda filled with open and bright harmonies.

Buoyancy was composed by Lars Campbell in 2020 for the Rose City Brass Quintet and is featured on RCBQ’s album Disquiet.