Review

Gary Kuo
Mountain Spires:
5 tenors, 1 bass

, United States
Publisher: Electric Violin Music
Date of Publication: 2023
URL: http://www.garykuo.com

Score

Primary Genre: Trombone Ensembles - 6 trombones

Gary Kuo is an Emmy award-winning composer whose compositional style depicts imagery and storytelling with ease through his memorable melodies and rich orchestration. Originally written for six horns and commissioned by the Messiah College Horn Studio, Kuo has masterfully arranged and crafted Mountain Spires for a six-piece trombone ensemble. This work translates beautifully to the trombone and builds in virtuosic moments for the first part to demonstrate their range in the upper tessitura. Spanning five minutes, Kuo creates a piece that juxtaposes the raw power and the jovial energy of a mountain range. 

Opening with the former, the first three parts play a unison melody while the lower parts drone underneath with the lowest part holding a pedal BB-flat. The simplicity of this introduction transports the listener to the base of the mountains, staring up in awe of the force of these spires. This theme transitions to both a spike in tempo (to 102 bpm) and timbral shift as straight mutes are utilized. Kuo weaves an ostinato of a driving rhythmic figure in with a sweeping melody in the upper parts. These broad lines can pose difficulty for younger players as tuning becomes an issue with the passing of this melody in the upper range. The ostinato rhythm uses sixteenth notes, but poses no need for double tonguing which again makes the piece accessible for varying skill levels. The vibrancy of the mutes and repetition of the rhythm launches the composition’s imagery to the jovial realm of snow falling down and winter sports on the mountain. 

Mountain Spires is published by Electric Violin Music (BMI) and is easily accessible for purchase from the composer’s website. Though the piece is accessible for students who only read bass clef to play, the first part climbs all the way to d2. While I was not given individual parts and cannot comment on clarity or errors, the score is clear to read and has no mistakes. Many articulations are left to the conductor to interpret as notes often remain unmarked. This work is a perfect addition to a high school or collegiate trombone choir program, fitting in as a lyrical work that can demonstrate the skill of the musicians and illustrate the prowess of alpine scenery. Kuo’s arrangement has yet to be recorded by a trombone choir but with this piece’s emergence it will become a staple in the trombone choir repertoire, creating a visceral experience for the audience and performers alike