Review

Gerry Pagano
Enchantment:
Tenor, bass trombone

, United States
Publisher: Gerry Pagano
Date of Publication: 2026
URL: http://www.gerrypagano.org

Tenor, bass trombone duet books

Primary Genre: Trombone Ensembles - 2 trombones

Pagano, the former St. Louis Symphony Orchestra bass trombonist, was inspired by his current surroundings in New Mexico to follow his earlier duet-book, Arrivo, with this collection of ten duets representing elements of that “Land of Enchantment.” The book appears in score form and is available in both print and digital formats. Three of the pieces are longer than two pages. The print version is coil-bound so it lays flat on your music stand; and if you purchase the print edition, you’ll receive the digital download at no additional cost. 

The composer has recorded the bass trombone parts so that you can play along, if you wish. With your purchase of the duets you receive free audio files of these bass trombone performances. Also available for free are MIDI recordings rendering both parts together.

All of the pieces are even eighths (though some of the 6/8 and 12/8 settings present a swinging quality). There is one meter change. Ranges are more moderate than in his earlier Arrivo book, thus mostly playable by good high school musicians: the tenor rises to b-flat1, the bass descending to pedal GG. Most of the pieces span a smaller range, and both of the parts are quite lyrical. There are no improvised sections or provided chord symbols.

The format does not include courtesy accidentals; but five of the pieces are entirely diatonic, a sixth nearly so. Thus this material is more sight-readable than many offerings while still taking the performer through a variety of rhythmic feels.

There is no genre-marking introducing each piece. Measure numbers consistently show at the beginning of each staff, but there are no double bars or rehearsal letters/numbers; so you have to discern the form of each duet. And while the notation is visually very clear, there are no short-note articulations in the book; and accents appear on only the last one or two notes of two of the duets. Four of the duets include no dynamics, with three others offering only an initial marking. Some of the passages include twelve to forty consecutive measures without a notated breath. So the offered live bass trombone recordings (rather than the MIDI rendering that does not breathe or change articulation) are essential in order to determine the composer’s wishes regarding length, emphasis, and style within phrases.

These duets continue the tradition of the Tommy Pederson trombone duets and will make a great addition to your practice studio or stage.