Review

Desiré Dondeyne
Vega:

Charnay-lès-mâcon, , France
Publisher: Editions Robert Martin
Date of Publication: 1994

Primary Genre: Elementary Material - solo
Secondary Genre: Solo Tenor Trombone - with piano

Vega is an intermediate level work structured in a compact design of slow section/cadenza/fast section. The duration indicated on the score is 6:00 but a more accurate timing is around 4:15. The solo part ranges from F to g1 and the technical demands would be appropriate for a second or third year trombonist. The first section, an Andantino with a 4/8 meter, is pleasantly tuneful with a lightly contrapuntal accompaniment. Interest is added with chromatic inflections and transient tonalities that delay affirmation of the B-flat minor key until the final cadence. A solo cadenza sets up the A-flat major key of the concluding section. The main theme of the Allegro Moderato is rather banal but the section works by virtue of its brevity and the chromatic and tonal inflections that keep it moving forward.

-Art Jennings
University of Florida