Eulogy

While there are a whole slew of pieces on Gregg August’s new disc for a six-man ensemble, my ear zeroed in tightly on this brief work for solo bass. The piece carries no dedication, so if this is a tribute to any soul in particular that’s left a mystery. August opens the piece with a meditative feel, but doesn’t weight it down with too plodding a tempo. The line actually picks up speed to steam train pace, as if the music itself is carrying its passenger to glory, before returning once again to its opening theme and darkly introspective character.

—MS