The Grumpy Troll
Michael Forbes

The Grumpy Troll is my first solo tuba composition. She is inspired by my dreams about the actions and expressions of a particularly troubled Norwegian gnome.

The opening sets the tone of the work with the ascending minor third interval as a musical groan, reflecting the general behavior of the gnome. The second part portrays a more active gnome, always angry, jumping from cock to ass and conversing with himself. In the next part, the grunts become more fluid, expressive, full of reverie. The final part, puts the gnome in the hot pursuit of what disturbed him. One can hear the fact that the gnome is out of breath both in the exuberance of the tubist and in the sound fleeing from the open piston.

The work is intended to be a tour de force technical and musical for the advanced tubist and a demonstration of contemporary sounds and styles playful and accessible to listeners.
Michael Forbes