Review

John Stevens
Sonata for Trombone (Euphonium) and Piano:

, Switzerland
Publisher: Editions Bim
Date of Publication: 2002
URL: http://www.editions-bim.com

Primary Genre: Solo Tenor Trombone - with piano

Sonata makes a forceful presentation of dramatic solo material against a highly rhythmic, stabbing piano background. Stevens, a prolific composer and tuba teacher/player extraordinaire, cleverly stretches out motifs of tritones and sevenths that invariably leap up to held higher pitches. This singular pursuit is fruitful in terms of making the piece functional and lively, if not always entirely engaging emotionally. The piano part is structured in such a way that the bouncing, parallel qualities of a multiple mallet percussion instrument may have been preferable. 

The opening dramatic solo proclamation is a recurring feature of the work, and fills in nicely in lieu of extended cadenzas. The aforementioned intervallic solo formula is then cast against highly rhythmic quartal and quintal piano harmonies, with much octave doubling. The slow second movement benefits from piano ostinati in unusual rhythmic subdivisions formatted against non-matching trombone subdivisions. The resultant haze is a pleasant atmosphere in which to recline and reflect.

The final Allegro energico departs from the previous textures by using an extremely rapid tempo, quarter note equals 156, double-tonguing fragments, albeit with similar melodic and rhythmic formulas. The resultant focus on technique, even within the trombone quasi-cadenzas, detracts from the more lyrically propulsive focus of the previous movements, and is not wholly satisfying in terms of a final resolution to the piece. Nonetheless, Sonata is a distinctive work that elevates Stevens to the front rank of contemporary brass composers. This piece has been recorded to excellent advantage by Andrew Malloy on his compact disc, Best of Friends.

-Joel Elias
Sacramento State University