Review

André Besançon
Variations sur Canapé:

Vuarmarens, , Switzerland
Publisher: Editions Bim
Date of Publication: 2008
URL: http://www.editions-bim.com

Piano score and solo part

Primary Genre: Solo Tenor Trombone - with piano

In this mildly humorous theme and variations, Besançon provides trombonists with a modern update to the traditional flashy solos exemplified by Arthur Pryor and Herbert L. Clarke. Although the composer calls this piece a parody of that genre, don’t expect overt humor. The structure, Introduction-Theme-Variations, is fairly standard as is the general mood and style of the writing. With a range from BB-flat to c2 and a medium-high tessitura, this piece requires a confident high range. The intervals of the first and second variations are particularly good for challenging high range accuracy. Although this work lacks the rapid octave leaps often seen in a Pryor solo it contains a good deal more chromaticism and endings of variations which drop quickly to the pedal BB-flat. A scattering of sextuplets in the last variation will probably call for triple tonguing. The piece stays mostly in B-flat major though the variations tend to float away harmonically before faithfully returning to their tonal homes. Perhaps it is this tendency to finish off fairly chromatic sequences with more traditional, sometimes cute, tonal endings that lends this work the aforementioned feeling of parody. The piano part is fairly manageable but does involve a few chromatic interlude passages that require attention. From an ensemble perspective, this should not be hard to put together. Technically, this piece is somewhat harder than Pryor’s Annie Laurie or Barat’s Andante and Allegro but not as challenging as Pryor’s Blue Bells of Scotland. The quality of the edition is good, including a brief program note from the composer and versions of the solo part in both bass and tenor clef. If you have a fairly strong student looking for a moderately challenging and lighthearted chromatic showpiece, this playful work might be a good fit.

-Brad Edwards
University of South Carolina