Review


Lennie Niehaus
Sculptures in Brass:
2 b-flat trumpets, 2 trombones

Delevan, NY, United States
Publisher: Kendor Music
Date of Publication: 2005
URL: http://www.kendormusic.com

Primary Genre: Brass Ensemble - 4 brass

Niehaus strikes again! Brass players usually give anything that he does a second look.  This one deserves that second glance as well as the rest of his fine compositions. It is scored for two B-flat trumpets and two trombones. It can be played as a three movement suite with short sections titled, Maestoso-Giocoso (4/4 & 6/8), With Feeling (4/4) and Giocoso (6/8). Trumpet 1 frequently ascends to a2 and b-flat2 while trombone 1 goes up to g1 and a1. Endurance is one of the problems facing small brass ensembles. Niehaus gives first trumpet enough rest to navigate the chart, but the other three parts have the mouthpiece to the lips for most of the 104 measures. For the main sections of the work the key is F going to C in the With Feeling section, and in the last section the key goes to G, making for an exciting closing and the need for strong chops with endurance.

-Mark Lammers
Gustavus Adolphus College 

Reviewer: Review Author
Review Published January 15, 2025
Appears in Journal 36:1 (January, 2008)