Editor’s Note:

The first of Stein’s Two Pieces for Solo Tuba, “Transformations: Twelve mini-etudes in variation form” is an engaging look into Stein’s compositional process – but, even more so, is an intense tonguing workout for the tubist through several of the quicker variations. Articulation is an important tool in bringing character to this movement, highlighting many of the musical ideas as they shift and change. The second piece, Duplex, is more unified in sound, though also contains frequent tempo alterations.