Review

Malcolm Forsyth
Quartet 61:

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Publisher: Cherry Classics Music
Date of Publication: 1961
URL: http://www.cherryclassics.com

Score and parts.

Primary Genre: Trombone Ensembles - 4 trombones

This is an interesting, accessible, three-movement, twentieth century work for trombone quartet. As one might expect from the title, the first movement, Ostinato: Andantino, employs a stealthy ostinato under the melodic interests. The second movement, Adagio con moto e con rubato, is, in my opinion, the most musically challenging of the three – Forsyth distributes melodic fragments in all parts to create longer melodic lines. The movement frequently changes mood, with sudden style and dynamic changes throughout. Good ensemble skills are a must for mature performance. The last movement, Vivace, alla burlesca, begins with driving rhythms and concludes with a spirited two-measure coda. Dynamic changes usually come subito, always well marked. 

There is one minor error in the parts – in the third movement, the first and second endings are not marked in parts 2, 3, and 4. It’s an easy fix. A bass trombone would be nice for color, but is not essential to play the part – a tenor-bass instrument will work. The first part is given in tenor clef throughout; the second part employs both tenor and bass clefs. Straight mutes are required. Range is not really an issue, although the first part requires a stronger player. Its range extends from f to b1; range, all-inclusive, is AA–b1. Players must possess solid music/trombone fundamentals. Quartet 61 is recommended for the collegiate library, appropriate for intermediate-level undergraduate student ensembles and above.

-Michael Davidson
The University of Kansas