De Profundis

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I would like to dedicate this recording in Memory and Honor of Juraj Filas; friend, brilliant composer, musician and man of deep faith. His untimely death was a shock to all who knew him and he will be truly missed. He was a gentle soul, warm, and a person of great integrity. My first encounter with him was when we were introduced at Swiss Brass week in Leukerbad, Switzerland. Amade Schnyder, his friend, suggested that Juraj write a new composition for me for trombone and piano. The product of that introduction was the Sonata for Trombone and Piano (At the End of the Century). This wonderful composition has become a favorite with trombonists globally and has appeared in international trombone competition repertoire. Juraj’s dramatic and imaginative writing explores dissonance, unusual rhythms and the entire range of the tenor trombone, particularly the low register. One can hear the influence on his music by the Czech composers of the past such as Joseph Suk and Leoš Janáček . Juraj was also was a huge admirer of Antonin Dvorak.

On one visit to New York, Juraj stayed with his dear friends Stanley and Marta Kotyza. I was invited to their home and this led to performances organized by the Kotyzas with Juraj. One of these concerts was at the Czech Consulate in New York City. After one of these meetings, Juraj suggested composing a new Concerto for Tombone and Orchestra. I was the soloist for the US premier in April of 2005 with the Marin Symphony. Subtitled "Don Chiscotte o un autoritratto" (Don Quixote, or A Self-Portrait), and it appeared as trombone repertoire in the Prague Spring International Music Competition of 2023.

Another visit with the Kotyzas led to conversations with Juraj about my plans to record a new CD with trombone and organ. Juraj was very enthusiastic about the interesting sonorities such instrumentation offered and suggested composing for this occasion. Thus was created his monumental piece entitled De Profundis.

“ De Profundis”  means  “ from the depths” in Latin.  Its origin is from Psalm 130
“De profundis clamo ad te domine. ” It is a prayer that is traditionally said on behalf of those who have died, for the repose of their souls.

May Juraj Filas Rest In Peace.
-Joseph Alessi,   May, 2023