Mackey’s Concerto Available on iTunes

John Mackey’s Harvest – Concerto for Trombone, performed by Joseph Alessi and The West Point Band, Timothy Holtan, conductor

From the composer…

“Harvest: Concerto for Trombone is based on the myths and mystery rituals of the Greek god Dionysus. As the Olympian god of the vine, Dionysus is famous for inspiring ecstasy and creativity. But this agricultural, earth-walking god was also subjected each year to a cycle of agonizing death before glorious rebirth, analogous to the harsh pruning and long winter the vines endure before blooming again in the spring. The concerto’s movements attempt to represent this dual nature and the cycle of suffering and return.”

Read more about the piece on John’s web site.