Review

James Michael Bicigo
Boy on Rocks With Stick:

Massapequa, NY, United States
Publisher: Cor Publishing Company
Date of Publication: 2007
URL: http://www.wiltshiremusic.com

Primary Genre: Solo Tenor Trombone - unaccompanied

This piece holds much in common with Leonard Bernstein’s Elegy for Mippy II. Both are written for solo trombone in 12/8 meter, and in a jazz-influenced style with quasi-swing rhythms. But Boy on Rocks With Stick has its own charms and challenges, possibly an effective piece for a college-level trombonist. Good slide and fast single tongue techniques are required, but the overall range, F-sharp-g1, is within the reach of a typical high school player; it could even be performed on bass trombone. The piece begins with a theme that harmonically reflects the blues, and this theme returns several times. Contrasting, developmental material separates statements of the theme, which functions like a chorus and is fairly simple, while the contrasting “verses” contain the technical passages. Young classical players might struggle with the style, but jazz trombonists should have an easy go of it. There are some minor engraving problems where accidentals and notes collide. In spite of these little glitches, performers should be willing to give this piece a try.

-Chris Buckholz
University of Northern Iowa