Partners in creation

This article discusses the role of the solo performer today, and the importance to composers of writing with particular performers in mind, with whom they are able to interact during the composing process. The author examines important composer - performer partnerships of the 1960s and 1970s, then traces the evolution of his own work as a performer of contemporary music, at the same time looking at his own evolving focus in the creation and documentation of new and recent music for his own instrument, the trombone.