Review

Various
Four Familiar Classics:

Arranged by David Uber


Delevan, NY, United States
Publisher: Kendor Music
Date of Publication: 2003
URL: http://www.kendormusic.com

Primary Genre: Trombone Ensembles - 2 trombones

Many trombonists will be familiar with David Uber and his many excellent offerings for trombone. These duo settings are no exception. They include: Auld Lange Syne, Sweet and Low, See, the Conquering Hero Comes and Songs my Mother Taught Me. At a price of five dollars, they will make a nice addition to any trombonist's library. The first trombone part consistently carries the melody and its observable range traverses D to f1.  The second part is nicely varied, ranging from F to c1, though it lacks melodic counterpoint. Though technically within the range of the straight tenor, the second part would likely be more resonant and played with greater ease on the tenor-bass trombone with f attachment, or the bass trombone.  

The rhythms of Uber's Four Familiar Classics are simple, and not often contrary. The second part is 'accompanistic' varying between harmonic bass, the implication of arpeggio, and harmonic part-writing. Uber's craft is delightful and there are interesting but reserved moments of harmonic interest. These pieces are extremely well-suited to educational purposes and could be effective in a performance setting… possibly for worship. Though three of the four movements are basically slow, the first trombone part really sings nicely in comfortable registers and the richly resonant sound of the trombone is used to artful advantage.

-David Brubeck
Miami Dade College, Kendall Campus