Review

Frank Gulino
Sonatina for trombone and piano:

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Publisher: Cimarron Music Press
Date of Publication: 2008
URL: http://www.cimarronmusic.com

Piano score and solo part

Primary Genre: Solo Tenor Trombone - with piano

This new work by composer Frank Gulino hits a genre that has been relatively under developed, an easy to mid high school level work that is interesting and musically challenging. Constructed in three movements, in the keys of B-flat, E-flat, and F, this piece proves musical complexity and limited range do not necessarily have to be mutually exclusive. Range in this work extends only to g1 with option b-flat1 on other occasions. Gulino is quite specific with: articulations, varying them quite often; tempo changes, some lead by the trombonist some by the pianist; and meter changes progressing from duple to triple and back to duple meter in the three movements. The first movement lacks a tempo marking at the opening. Given the structure of the work I would make an educated guess at quarter note = 110 but this is a correction that should be made by the publisher and may have been already. The second movement in 6/8 meter is creatively crafted with a dotted eighth sixteenth motive and interesting octave leaps moving towards the cadenza. The composer also keeps the piano part at a more basic level, always appreciated, as it is more and more difficult to find quality accompanists! The parts are easily readable with no page turn problems. As a bonus, each measure is numbered in the piano part, a requirement in many U.S. high school solo and ensemble competitions.  I hold a high opinion of this work. If you foresee your state’s solo and ensemble lists being revised in the near future, check this piece out; I believe it will fit well. For the college level player, it may serve as a first performance piece, ensuring a positive experience for a less experienced freshman student.

-Thomas Zugger
Capital University