Review

Gary Kuo
Ray of Light:

CA, United States
Publisher: Electric Violin Music
Date of Publication: 2023
URL: http://www.garykuo.com

Piano score

Primary Genre: Solo Tenor Trombone - with piano

Violinist and Emmy award-winning composer Gary Kuo holds undergraduate and graduate degrees from The Juilliard School and the University of Miami. He worked as a Los Angeles session musician, where he performed on over 100 motion picture soundtracks. As a composer for television, his music has been heard on over 160 programs. His compositions have been performed at some of the world’s finest concert venues, featuring notable soloists and ensembles.

The composer writes: RAY OF LIGHT was inspired by the warm and golden sunshine I’ve enjoyed during the walks I take to clear my head. With this melody, I tried to capture that feeling of joy, beauty, and freedom one experiences with every relaxing stroll.

This short (c. 5’) study in legato consists of two attaca adjoining sections; 4/4 and 6/8 meters in F major, and 4/4 and 6/8 in D major. Technical and range requirements for the trombone are modest (G - a1). Formal, rhythmic, melodic, textural, and harmonic content is from the 19th century. Except for a twelve-bar interlude, the piano accompanies the soloist with arpeggiated figures. There is a recording on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NCLWeay-CNQ