Quixosis

Year: 2016 · Duration: ~13 minutes · Instrumentation: tuba and piano

Premiered at the University of Texas at Austin by Franklin Piland (tuba)

Performed extensively in recital by Charles Villarubia, Professor of Tuba at UT Austin and currently featured on the UIL Prescribed Music List

Program Note

Quixosis is a virtuosic and theatrical work for tuba and piano, inspired by the fevered vision and noble delusion of Cervantes' Don Quixote. The piece rides a manic edge between comedy and tragedy, heroism and absurdity, allowing the soloist to embody the erratic grandeur of a questing spirit undone by fantasy. The music features sudden dynamic swerves, exaggerated motifs, and a sweeping lyricism that often collapses into grotesquerie. Like its namesake, Quixosis is both self-aware and sincere—a character portrait drawn in bold strokes and fine irony.

“Somehow manages to be ridiculous and majestic at the same time. I laughed—and then I winced.”
— Elio Mendel, adjudicator

Audio

Perusal Score

Licensing & Inquiries

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