For solo trombone and fixed media, 5′
Antonine is a musical embodiment of the ancient philosophical concept of the “fortress of the mind.” As Roman-emperor-turned-philosopher Marcus Aurelius put it in his Meditations: “The mind, unconquered by violent passions, is a citadel, for a man has no fortress more impregnable in which to find refuge and remain safe forever.” Or, more simply put by Seneca the Younger: “To bear trials with a calm mind robs misfortune of its strength and burden.” The piece uses a neoclassical trombone solo to represent strength and steadfastness in the face of an often-terrifying and overwhelming sound collage born out of
our modern world. Everyday noises like cell phones, cars, and news reports are transformed into a soundscape that grows out of the noise of everyday life, and then recedes back into it, proving that philosophy is just as essential in our time as it was in Marcus Aurelius’. Composed in the spring of 2020, Antonine’s title is both an adjective that means “relating to Marcus Aurelius” and a reference to the Antonine Plague that afflicted his reign, once again highlighting the parallels between his time and ours, and the continued value of philosophy in everyday life.
Matthew DeChant 