Review

Elizabeth Raum
Concerto for Bass Trombone with Wind Ensemble Accompaniment:

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Publisher: Cherry Classics Music
Date of Publication: 2009
URL: http://www.cherryclassics.com

Solo part, score, and parts for wind ensemble

Primary Genre: Solo Bass/Contrabass Trombone - with band

Ms. Raum’s Concerto was commissioned by Barnaby Kerekes and friends in honor of Doug Sparkes of the Vancouver Symphony, on the occasion of his birthday in 2007. The piece is quite listenable and creates a nice musical ambience. It is not terribly challenging and makes no extreme demands on the performer. As such, it is well suited to a talented, college level bass trombone soloist. Indeed, it can even be played on an F-attachment tenor trombone, with only a few trigger notes and one pedal GG. The challenges in this work do not generally lie in advanced technical passages nor in extremes of range; it is Cantabile in style requiring much expression. Breathing might present a challenge to younger players as there are many extended 16th note passages, lasting up to two measures in 4/4 meter. Soloist and ensemble often echo each other melodically, which demands open ears and flexibility.

Ms. Raum’s concerto is given in three movements: Allegro con fuoco, Romance (for Nata); Andante quarter = 69 and Moderato quarter = 100. The final movement contains several instances of short glissandi. Range extends from GG [one instance] to g1, making the work playable by performers of varied abilities. While there are notes in the trigger range, they present no slide handling complexities. The work is available in three settings: wind ensemble, string orchestra with percussion or piano.

-Philip Brink
Mahidol University