Illusion (Is the Better Part of Life) by Elizabeth Raum for Trumpet, Tuba and Piano

This performance was given at the Highland Campus of Austin Community College on November 3, 2023 as part of my faculty recital.
Illusion (Is the better part of life)
1. Illusion
2. Fill the Wine Cup
3. Destiny
4. The Ultimate Illusion (Political Debate)
Dr. Matthew Swihart, Trumpet
David Hummel, Tuba
Dr. Joyce Wu, Piano
Below are the program notes for Illusion for Trumpet, Tuba & Piano by Elizabeth Raum.
Illusion, is a general commentary to the fact that life is mysterious and generally, uncertain, constantly shifting. We try to influence what happens but usually, outside forces determine the direction of our lives. Sometimes it’s hard to distinguish between illusion and reality, and, in fact, often people much prefer illusion to reality.
Mv. 1 - Illusion starts out with an obscure time signature and is constantly shifting tonalities so for a while, you aren’t quite sure where you are. Life is full of such deceptions.
Mv. 2 - Fill the Wine Cup is a series of drinking songs with a lot of gayety and rollocking humour as the party gets more raucous, but eventually things get a little blurry and bombastic and the party winds down.
M. 3 - Destiny seems to march on and on, with mankind hoping to control their future, but the implication is that fate is more powerful than one can control.
M. 4 - The ultimate illusion: a Political Debate. The tuba starts out as the first candidate, and the trumpet is the other. The music is circus-like as befits many heated debates.
Illusion was commissioned by Lucas Kaspar and JD Little. The original version was written for Alto Sax and Bass Trombone.
The work of about 10 minutes in length is appropriate for advanced performers.
This 13-minute work is appropriate for advanced performers.