Review

Malcolm Forsyth
Sonic Mobile:
4-7 part trombone choir

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Publisher: Cherry Classics Music
Date of Publication: 2004
URL: http://www.cherryclassics.com

Score and parts

Primary Genre: Trombone Ensembles - 4 trombones
Secondary Genre: Trombone Ensembles - 7 trombones

Commissioned by Diana and Allan Lee for their fiftieth wedding anniversary, this work for trombone choir was donated for review by distributor Cherry Classics Music. First performed by the Edmonton-based Ritchie Trombone Choir, the writing is well-scored for a full trombone choir. Although published in the typical four-part trombone choir format, each part contains divisi passages that spread the four to seven voiced textures throughout the ensemble. This shifting of forces will maintain the interest of those playing inner parts. While much of the writing is for tutti or paired voices, there is a critical descending bell-effect at the end that requires solid divisi second and third trombone playing. The individual parts are well laid out, save for minor spacing issues with accidentals and note stems in trombone one (m.20) and trombone four (m.28). Although the score gives trombones one and two in tenor clef, only the first trombone part is actually printed in tenor clef. This well-written and accessible work is a welcome addition to the concert repertoire for both community and collegiate trombone choirs alike.

-Peter Fielding
Mahidol University, Thailand