Review

Matt Doran
Andante for Trombone and Piano:

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Publisher:
Date of Publication: 2007

Manuscript

Primary Genre: Solo Tenor Trombone - with piano

Flutist and composer Matt Doran was born in 1921 in Covington, Kentucky. He studied with Gail Kubik, Peter Korn, Hanns Eisler, Ernest Kanitz and Ernst Toch, earning in 1953 the first DMA degree in composition granted at the University of Southern California. He held teaching positions at Del Mar College; Ball State; and for 29 years at Mount St. Mary’s in Los Angeles. He has composed more than 280 works, including ten operas, seven symphonies, concerti, songs, choral compositions, and numerous chamber works. His works have been presented in prestigious venues including Carnegie Recital Hall, the Richard Strauss Conservatory in Munich, and opera performances in Los Angeles, New York, Texas, Oregon and Kansas. His other music for trombone includes a Quartet for Flute, Trombone, Piano and Percussion, Concertino for Trombone and Strings and Sonatina for Trombone and Piano.

The Andante was written for Russ Sanchez and premiered on October 17, 2008. Dr. Doran's Quartet and Concertino were also composed for Russ. The Andante is basically a lyrical and meditative work in which the trombone and piano are equal partners. The musical language is quite conservative but not hackneyed. It requires a performer with great legato skills, a beautiful sound, good dynamic control and a superior sense of phrasing. Aside from a brief assent to d-flat2, range and endurance are not problematic. For further information about obtaining a copy of the music contact Russ Sanchez at posauneruss@hotmail.com.

-Karl Hinterbichler
University of New Mexico