Review

Gerald Finzi
Romance in E-Flat:

Arranged by James Tempest

E-flat trumpet, 3 B-flat trumpets, flugelhorn, 3 horns in F, 2 tenor trombones, bass trombone, euphonium, tuba

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Publisher: Cherry Classics Music
Date of Publication: 2023
URL: http://www.cherryclassics.com

Score and parts

Primary Genre: Brass Ensemble - 6+ brass (choir)

Gerald Finzi was born in London, England in 1901 and died in Oxford in 1956. From 1915 to 1918 he studied under Ernest Farrar in London, from 1918 to 1922 with Edward Bairstow at York Minster, and subsequently with Reginald Morris back in London. He wrote numerous instrumental and orchestral works, including concertos for ‘cello and clarinet, and more than 100 songs. This work, his Op. 11, originally for string orchestra, was composed in London in 1928, but is inspired by his love of the English countryside.

It is comprised of two main sections. The first in E-flat begins quietly and is marked Slowly: quarter = 50, with just five instruments playing, each part marked pianissimo. 4th trumpet enters in m.7, followed by 1st trombone in m.9 and flugelhorn in m.12, their parts marked solo and mezzo piano. The overall dynamic remains subdued until a key change to D-flat at m.55, where it increases to mezzo forte. Not until the Maestoso section at m.113 does it go up to forte. The final five measures are marked Calmly, quarter = 44. The last three measures are pianissimo in all parts, except for E-flat trumpet, which is the only part not playing, and for Flugelhorn, whose part is marked solo in the last five measures and at mezzo forte. This is an expressive and beautiful piece, and calls for sensitive playing throughout. It is considered ‘appropriate for advanced performers’.

Overall range for Trombone 1 is B-flat - b-flat1 and for Trombone 2 is B-flat - f1. Bass trombone goes down to GG. Cup mutes are required in all three trombone parts at mm.40 to 54. Trombone parts are in bass clef throughout.

Jim Tempest is a freelance bass trombonist living in Vancouver, BC and an instructor in the Music Department at Vancouver Community College. He is also director of the Delta Concert Band.