Breathe

Details

Program Notes

Breathe deals with the simple ideas of breathing in both a physical aspect and a basic mental reaction.The musical messages expressed in this piece are closely related to the ideas of inhaling and exhaling.

As we inhale, we fill our lung with air until we can't sustain anymore.This creates a peak of tension that is dying to release. When the tension is held, it becomes more unstable.

When we exhale, our body quickly releases the tension and simply lets the air flow out. This creates a soothing state of mind. When put to the extreme however, our body begins to compress the air and create more tension.

This is represented physically in the piece with the single extended tone resonating for a long period of time, representing holding a breathe. Same with the idea of compression at Measure 80 with the increase of tension inward.

The piece takes these two ideas of inhale and exhale and combines them to make a concrete message of tension and release. This ideas builds with the ideas from the calm and relaxing beginning to the tense climatic point areas at m.70. It then returns to the ideas of calm and relaxing at the end of the piece.

Media

• Audio: Breathe — Schwob Trumpet Ensemble; Robert Murray, Director

Similar Works

• Breathe — Trumpet Octet
• City of Fog — Percussion Quartet
• ClockWork — Trumpet Octet
• Flow, A Groove for Brass Quintet — Brass Quintet
• Hypnotic Ink — Oboe with Chamber Ensemble
• Journey to the Ends of the World — Brass Quartet
• Light in a Crystallized Forest — Mixed Ensemble
• Resolutions: Suite for Brass Trio — Brass Trio
• Reverberance — Trumpet Nonet
• Silver Rings — Brass Quartet
• Subduction — Trumpet Dectet
• Tango! — Brass Sextet
• The Rainbow Tree — Bass Trombone with Piano
• Trick-Track Double Up — Trumpet Duet
• Vision over the Horizon — Trumpet Dectet

SEO Blob

Title: Breathe

Description: "Breathe" is a composition for Trumpet Octet, featuring 6 trumpets and 2 flugelhorns, with a total duration of 7 minutes. Composed in 2013 and published recently, this piece explores the themes of breathing, tension, and release. The composition reflects the physical and mental aspects of inhaling and exhaling, symbolically represented through musical dynamics and structure.

Program Notes: The piece conveys the experience of breathing, highlighting the tension built during inhalation and the release felt during exhalation. The initial calming sections evolve into intense climactic moments, representing the struggle between tension and relaxation, ultimately returning to a state of calm.

Instrumentation:
- 6 Trumpets
- 2 Flugelhorns

Duration: 7 minutes

Purchase Information: Available for purchase at $8.99. Buyers can find the payment link here.

Score PDF: A transposing score is available in PDF format.

Commissioned By: Robert Murray

SEO Keywords: Breathe, Trumpet Octet, composition, breathing music, tension and release, musical themes, trumpet music, contemporary composition, purchase trumpet score, buy music online, instrumental composition.

Accessibility: This page is designed to be easily indexed by search engines and AI crawlers, enhancing discoverability for users searching for trumpet compositions and contemporary music pieces focusing on breath and tension dynamics.

Last Edited: October 18, 2025