Dual Posaune: for a solo trombonist with a dual persona (2013) by Aiden Hartery

Commissioned by: Stephen Ivany
This piece is loosely based of the story of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. The story deals with the seemingly normal and peaceful Dr. Jekyll who conflicts Mr. Hyde, who is vile and malicious. Jekyll's relationship to Hyde is abnormal in the sense that they are the same person, the latter created to perform unspeakable urges and desires that the former would not be able to get away with.

This internal conflict is presented through the music in a number of ways, which the trombone is able to showcase. The musical material in the beginning, which represents Dr. Jekyll, teeters back and forth between key centers separated by a semitone (E and Eflat). This fight between key centers is a way of showing Jekyll's inner turmoil and inability to control his own mind. The constant repetition of notes also presents a constant nagging or inner torture in the back of Jekyll's mind which may drive him to insanity.

The musical material becomes more aggressive and agitated as the character transforms into Mr. Hyde. The key center continues to be pushed to more uncomfortable areas while Hyde gets up to no good. Hyde is also presented later in the piece with the trombone using a straight mute to show Hyde's growing and escelating insanity (also the need for a straight jacket).