Review

Adam Dippre
Scream:
Trombone and electronic recording

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Publisher: Cherry Classics Music
Date of Publication: 2020
URL: http://www.cherryclassics.com

Score and mp3 accompaniment file.

Primary Genre: Solo Tenor Trombone - with media

Adam Dippre’s composition Scream takes us on a sonic adventure through an array of processed sounds and extended techniques. Scored for trombone and electronic recording, the accompaniment track was generated by digitally manipulating eight audio samples of a Marine Sergeant screaming in various ways. The trombone part calls for glissandi, quarter tones, trills, didgeridoo effects, alternate position tremoli, and even adding a bassoon reed to the mouthpiece to imitate the takeoff of a spaceship.

Compositionally, Scream challenges its listeners with a variety of complex textures, angular melodic patterns, and atmospheric sonorities. It begins with a terrifying scream followed by a high register trombone melody over a meditative accompaniment. The harmonic and textural tension gradually increases with accelerating rhythmic patterns in the solo part. This builds to the aforementioned section that imitates the spaceship take-off. From there the textural and melodic angularity gradually settles, and the whole piece dies away with a whimper. With a range spanning from GG to d², the trombone part contains a variety of technical challenges best suited for advanced players.

The score is well edited with clear instructions and comes with two accompaniment recordings—one with and the other without an embedded metronome track. While perhaps not the most accessible piece for either the trombonist or the audience, Scream brings us an exciting and edgy new work. At just over five minutes in duration, it will add variety to any recital and challenge performers  with something outside the traditional comfort zone.