cradle

for trumpet and piano
ca. 6’30”

“A standout moment was the premiere of Adrian Wong’s cradle, a poignant piece that explores the parent-child relationship. Its gentle, rocking motion and long, flowing lines provide a beautiful vehicle for Vaughen’s artistry and tonal nuance.”

- International Trumpet Guild

I've worked with the mother/son duo Ann Newton Vaughen and James Vaughen for many years before I wrote cradle as a gift to James. I knew that the piece needed to capture the warmth and love they have for each other—something immediately evident the moment you see them perform.

I was enamored by the idea of "embracing" and their relationship as mother and son—the first tempo marking reads "delicately, like holding a newborn".

cradle (2025) was written for my good friend James Vaughen.

Performances:

30 May 2025
International Trumpet Guild Recital: James Vaughen
Libby Gardner Hall, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT
James Vaughen, trumpet; Ann Newton Vaughen, piano

18 Apr 2025 (world premiere)
James Vaughen and Ann Newton Vaughen: Recital
1120 Meetinghouse Rd, Gwynedd, PA
James Vaughen, trumpet; Ann Newton Vaughen, piano