Review

William Grant Still
Romance:

New York, NY, United States
Publisher: International Music Company
Date of Publication: 1990

Piano score and solo part

Primary Genre: Solo Tenor Trombone - with piano

Originally composed for alto saxophone and piano, this transcription is both well-crafted and musically satisfying. Written in binary form (slow-faster-slow), its style matches that which the title suggests and its musical challenges are greater than its technical challenges. First, third, and fourth slide positions are utilized for the majority of the work due to its E-flat major tonality and overall tessitura. Most pitches encountered in the outer sections lie between B-flat and d1 and result in frequent crossing of lower partials. The solo contains two trills, one of which lies between f and g and is difficult, even clumsy to produce. Mr. Yeo includes an alternative gesture but leaves the ultimate decision to the performer. Thanks to Mr. Yeo for providing an editorial option and challenging the performer to solve the problem. Challenging a student to work-out and determine viable alternatives to a problem is, in and of itself, a useful exercise. Less experienced performers may also be challenged by the several meter changes in the middle section, which generally occur between alternating pairs of simple-triple and simple-duple meter. Overall, this transcription showcases finesse and phrasing across lower partials on an otherwise less technically demanding solo. It is a practical addition to teaching repertoire.

-Kevin Chiarizzio
Liberty University