Review

Armand Russell
Diversità:

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Publisher: Cherry Classics Music
Date of Publication: 2011
URL: http://www.cherryclassics.com

Primary Genre: Trombone Ensembles - 4 trombones

Diversitá (Italian for variety) is a five movement work of short contrasting movements written for trombonist, James Decker. The odd numbered movements “animated,” “formidable” and “capricious” are fast, energetic and highly rhythmic with a good deal of shifting meter. The second movement, marked “elegiac” has a melancholy feel. A long, melodic line winds through the parts offering plenty of expressive opportunities. The fourth movement, marked “mystical,” uses straight, cup and Harmon mutes simultaneously while the first part remains open to create a striking tone color palette. The writing is idiomatic and smart. This is an engaging work for players and audience alike. Range and technical demands are quite reasonable for fairly advanced players and the rhythmic, expressive and ensemble challenges alone are worthy of consideration. Diversitá is a truly nice addition to the quartet repertoire.

-Andrew Glendening
University of Redlands