Review

David Uber
Legend of Darby Mountain:

, United States
Publisher: Wehr's Music House
Date of Publication: 2005
URL: http://www.wehrs-music-house.com

Piano score and solo part

Primary Genre: Solo Tenor Trombone - with piano

David Uber is an award–winning composer, noted conductor and performer. His numerous works range from low brass etudes to brass ensemble pieces to commissioned solos by leading brass players. Legend, an intermediate to advanced level solo, is a brooding, dynamic work. Uber eschews long lines and organic development in favor of soaring, abbreviated motifs which are repeated with slight harmonic variations. The unsettling accompaniment contributes to the moodiness of the texture, which eventually breaks into an exuberant 6/8 free-for-all. Unlike some of Uber’s other works, this grittiness is achieved without us being made aware of the compositional process.  

The range of this six minute piece is G-flat to b-flat1. The technical challenge for the budding performer lies in negotiating numerous accidentals and preserving rhythmic independence from the piano. Legend is a flamboyant work well worthy of recital consideration.

-Joel Elias
Sacramento State University