Review

Jim Theobald
Five Jewish Songs of Joy:
Twelve trombones.

N.p., ,
Publisher: Wehr’s Music House
Date of Publication: 1996

Score and parts.

Primary Genre: Trombone Ensembles - 9+ trombones (choir)

Jim Theobald’s Five Jewish Songs of Joy is a superb collection of traditional and favorite Jewish tunes arranged for a choir of eight tenor trombones and four bass trombones. The choir is actually divided into three collaborative groups of four trombones each. The songs are as follows: A Wicked, Wicked Man (by S.E. Goldfarb), Rock of Ages, Heveinu Shalom Alechem “Peace be with you,” Hinei Ma Tov “Behold how good,” and the Jewish folk song standard Hava Nagila “Let us rejoice.” They vary in difficulty yet each song can be performed as a stand-alone piece, which makes Five Jewish Songs of Joy appropriate for trombone choirs at either the intermediate or advanced levels. Jewish music is traditionally modal and pervasively rhythmic and this arrangement is no exception. It would especially behoove the conductor to place his strongest players on the top and bottom parts as they linger in the higher and lower tessituras. Parts are clearly labeled and measures are numbered for easy reading. The publishers even take care to not bind the last page of each part thereby avoiding quick page turns which would be rather difficult in an upbeat song such as Hava Nagila. Cup mutes are used briefly. For more information or to purchase these songs separately visit www.wehrs-music-house.com.

-Tom Pylinski
Malone University, Canton, OH