Review

Neal Harnly
Chorale Fantasie:

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Publisher:
Date of Publication: 2000 / 2024
URL: http://www.cherryclassics.com

Piano score and solo part

Primary Genre: Solo Tenor Trombone - with piano

Neil Harnly's Chorale Fantasie, written for renowned trombonist James Markey, is a substantial and demanding work for trombone and piano. Rooted in the tradition of northern German composers of the Baroque, this piece takes as its basis two 19th-century hymns: "Jesus, Thy Boundless Love to Me" and "My Jesus I Love Thee".

The work commences with the piano introducing the first hymn, "Jesus, Thy Boundless Love to Me.” Open, quartal, and quintal harmonies and added tones establish the vibrant harmonic backdrop that will characterize the work. Following two piano stanzas, the trombone enters with a final complete statement of the hymn, marking the beginning of a powerful musical journey.

The first fantasia section, marked Brillante, is characterized by rapid 16th-note motion, changing meters, and dotted rhythms reminiscent of the Hindemith trombone sonata. This section showcases the composer's skillful manipulation of the hymn tune, using the opening major 3rd intervals as a point of departure. A second Piú mosso section develops the hymn tune in a rapidly moving 6/8 meter, featuring a dramatic dialogue between piano and trombone.

The piano also introduces the second hymn tune, "My Jesus I Love Thee", colorfully harmonized. The trombone follows, presenting the entire melody, now in a strikingly different tonal center. The piano accompaniment creates a peaceful undercurrent with rapid, tremolo-like figurations. Another fantasia section ensues, with the instruments engaging in an intense, vibrant dialogue.

As the work draws to a close, “Jesus Thy Boundless Love to Me” reappears, reprising the compound duple meter section of the previous Piú mosso. Dramatic gestures and loud dynamics eventually give way to a peaceful, subdued ending.

Chorale Fantasie is a work worthy of consideration, offering a rich and rewarding experience for both performers and audience. The piece demands technical agility, sensitive melodic playing, and a strong musical partnership between the trombonist and pianist. With its wide range, extending from high d2 to pedal A, and intricate technical demands, the work presents a significant challenge to the trombonist.

A fine recording of Chorale Fantasie can be heard on James Markey's album "Offroad", providing a testament to the work's musical depth and technical brilliance.