Review

Will Whitten
Zenith:
2 B-flat trumpets, horn in F, trombone, 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 - 5 brass

This piece is in ABA form and is written in the C Phrygian Dominant mode with key signatures of four flats for the first 29 and last 53 measures and one flat from m30 to m65. The initial tempo marking is Driving at quarter note c.190, relaxing in m50 to Elegant at quarter = 80, then going back to the initial marking of quarter c.190 at m66, and finally Furioso at m87, ending fff on a unison C spread over three octaves.

Much use is made of ‘Multimeter rhythms’ with frequent changes between 4/4, 5/4, and 6/4. There are also frequent changes of mood between quiet contemplation and rambunctious energy.

The trombone part is in bass clef throughout, range C - g1 (alt G - g1). There are numerous descriptive directions in the score and many notes are accented in one way or another. In m.1 the tuba and horn parts are marked Heavy and Short; the trumpets are instructed to be Brassy in m.4 and Extremely Short in m.5. At m.50 where the tempo returns to quarter = 80, the marking is Elegant. The horn player is asked to bend the pitch at m.58. From m.84 to m.87 where the tempo marking is Furioso, all parts crescendo up to fff and are heavily accented. The tuba player is instructed to follow line (which is placed above the notes) with screaming multiphonics. 1st trumpet reaches its zenith in the final measure, topping out on c3 with the other parts in unison over five octaves from CC to c3.

The composer has provided extensive notes in which he attributes the overall inspiration for this piece to a Balkan brass style, known by the Serbian name Truba, which is a unique combination of folk music and military music. In this piece he has created a work of significant originality, characterised throughout by rhythmic vitality and high energy.  It is also quite demanding, and is appropriate for advanced players.

Will Whitten is a bass trombonist currently studying with David Allen Vining at Northern Arizona University, and has performed extensively in a wide diversity of ensembles.