Review

Martin Rokeach
Ninth Avenue Hustle:

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Publisher: Manuscript
Date of Publication: 2004
URL: http://mrokeach@stmarys-ca.edu

Piano score and solo part

Primary Genre: Solo Bass/Contrabass Trombone - with piano

Dr. Rokeach holds degrees from San Francisco State University and a Ph.D. in music composition and theory from Michigan State University. He is on the faculty at Saint Mary's College in California and is one of the founders and artistic director of San Francisco’s contemporary music concert series, Composers, Inc. Prof. Rokeach's works have earned honors in various national and international competitions and his music is widely published and recorded.

The composer states the following about Ninth Avenue Hustle:

   "Composed in 2004 at the request of bass trombonist David Ridge, Ninth Avenue Hustle was written in two versions, one with orchestra, one with piano. It features an instrument that at first I knew very little about – other than it could play really, really low notes – but I’ve come to love the bass trombone and its unique voice as a solo instrument. A celebratory one-movement piece, all the material comes from the big chord and opening theme in the first measures and, hopefully, evokes the stimulation, energy and drama of living in a big city. The piece is dedicated, with affection and gratitude, to David Ridge and Lino Rivera."

This is a terrific piece of music that is also a virtuoso display piece for the bass trombone. It requires excellent dynamic control, command of a four-octave range and great flexibility. The trombonist must be able to negotiate a wide gamut of styles, from long lyrical legato lines, to multiple tonguing, to quick shifts of register. Another important requirement is a secure pedal range, which descends down to CC. Although unique, the musical language has faint echoes of William Schuman, with its bi-tonal harmonic structure, jazz informed rhythms and sheer energy. The piano part, while not as virtuosic as the trombone part, requires a performer with good technique and excellent rhythmic skills. Again, let me repeat, a terrific piece of music! Dr. Rokeach made available an excellent recording by bass trombonist David Ridge, of the San Francisco Opera Orchestra and pianist Lino Rivera.

-Karl Hinterbichler
University of New Mexico