Irae, for trumpet and horn

Andy McFarlane

"Irae" is one of my first "serious" works in composition. The title is a form of the Latin word "ira" meaning "anger" or "wrath" or "ire" Because of its form, the title literally means "of wrath" commonly heard in the phrase "Dies Irae" or "Day of Wrath." The instrumentation is fitting with both the horn and the trumpet having deep roots in calling troops to battle. In any case, use of just the nominative plural form of "ira" gives ownership to the players to tear the piece to shreds and feed it to their audience.

performers: Andrew Symington, horn; Cameron Swett, trumpet
Premiere: Cedarville University Recital Hall, Cedarville University 2013