Review

David Fetter
Something to Play:

Newton, IA, United States
Publisher: TAP Music Sales
Date of Publication: 2004

Primary Genre: Solo Bass/Contrabass Trombone - unaccompanied

“Give me something to play!” This was the eloquently stated request made by English bass trombonist, Jonathan Warburton. The response is David Fetter’s three-movement suite written for unaccompanied bass trombone. Fetter manages to cover a great deal of musical territory over the course of the two pages per movement.

In each movement contrast is achieved by way of effective use of dynamics, articulations, register shifts, and changing rhythmic density. The first movement is given in 3/4 meter. Containing many sequences, it looks like it might belong with one of Bach’s unaccompanied suites for cello. The second movement, titled “Tony Don’t Do It” is in 12/8 meter and is marked “medium swagger.” While none of the range demands in the suite are too extreme, there is a passage in the second movement that spans a range from pedal EE up to a1. The third movement is in 2/2 with a half-note tempo of 72. With the exception of one caesura there are no rests in this final movement, 90 measures.

Perhaps the biggest challenge presented by this suite lies in the scarcity of rest. For this reason, Something to Play may be less likely to find its way on to recital programs. As with Fetter’s other offerings, this work is more than deserving of a place on the music stand of every serious bass trombonist. Even if it does not make an appearance as recital music, this solo can provide a refreshing break from a standard diet of etudes, excerpts or more-traditional repertoire. 

-Donn Schaefer
University of Utah