De Profundis

De Profundis (Out of the Depths) for Solo Trumpet and Wind Ensemble was commissioned in 1975 by the Robert E. Lee High School Symphonic Band, Baytown, Texas, and its director Charles E. Forque (1930-2005) so that they can play together with the famous trumpeter ‘Doc’ Severinsen (1927-). It was premiered by the commissioner and the soloist on May 31 of the year. In 1983 while Forque was working for the Plano Senior High School Band in the same city, they performed the work with ‘Doc”, and their live recording is available on the CD album “The Lost Tapes Vol. I & II” (CD Baby). Minor differences between the live performance and this edition are found yet details are unknown.

The title itself is taken from “Psalm 130” in the New Testament.

Out of the depths, I cry to you, Lord;

Lord, hear my voice.

Let your ears be attentive to my cry for mercy.

I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits,

and in his word, I put my hope. (Excerpt)

This work can be understood as a trumpet concertino in effect. The entire music consists of two successive parts: The first part is a lonely song as if groping in the dark, and the second part beginning with a heavy pesante goes through a graceful hymn, develops into a powerful and brilliant main part, and then reaches a solemn coda. It is not only a work demanding full features of the versatile techniques of the soloist, but also a deeply emotional work based on religious implications.