Review

Gabriel Grovlez
L'Almanach Aux Images:

Arranged by Brian McDonie

6 tenor, 2 bass trombones

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

Score and parts.

Primary Genre: Trombone Ensembles - 8 trombones

L'Almanach Aux Images (The Almanac of Images) published in 1911 by French composer/conductor, Gabriel Grovlez, is a delightful work of eight beautiful pieces for solo piano. Each piece is prefaced by a poem by the French 'fantaisiste' poet Tristan Klingsor (1874-1966). The music is cast in the impressionist style and harkens to Fauré and Debussy. Brian McDonie has arranged five contrasting movements to comprise a suite for 8-part trombone ensemble of moderately advanced performers. For brass players the melodies and style are reminiscent of the Poulenc Trio and the Suite from the Monteregian Hills by Morley Calvert.

Here is a summary of the work:

Introduction - Les Marionnettes (The Puppets): this contains beautiful, soaring melodies in a French “Bordogni” style with more imaginative harmonies. Overall, the trombone 1 part is quite challenging. I even enjoyed playing along with the computer version.

I. Chanson du Chasseur (The Hunter's Song): The 6/8 rhythms and horn-like fanfares create a wonderful hunting mood and are enjoyable to play. There are several instances in the score when the dynamic markings need to be moved an eighth note earlier to cover the pickup in the motive. Again, markings such as cedez, a tempo, espresso legato (m.44-47) need to be added. There is a pickup missing from the melody going into letter G and H.

II. Petites Litanies de Jesus (The Little Litanies of Jesus): This is my favorite movement. The several lyrical melodies are beautiful, well written for trombone. Brian varies the orchestration throughout. The ending using cup mutes is inspired.

III. Chanson de L'Escarpolette (Song of the Swing). This is to be performed in a flexible tempo. I probably referenced a different piano score than Brian, but I noticed that many markings such as rubato, cedez, subito piano and rallentando in the piano score were not indicated in the trombone choir score. One serious omission that would have a major impact on the style is the term avec elegance, that begins the original score. It needs to be added to enhance the understanding of the style.

Epilogue - Berceuse de la Poupeé (Lullaby for a Doll): As the finale of the entire seven minute work, this simple lullaby requires great dynamic control.

Brian shares solos throughout the ensemble whenever possible, creating wonderful moments for all. His experience as an arranger and as a member of trombone choirs are obvious by his clever use of doubling difficult high solo passages. This arrangement definitely needs the talents of a fine conductor. It would be marvelous to hear the poems read before each movement.

In arranging piano music for trombone ensemble, obviously some aspects such as articulation, dexterity, sustain, etc., will not translate. However, tempo, dynamics, and style are just three aspects that would seem to be retainable. This work does not maintain these. Therefore, this is not a satisfying adaptation. Perhaps a second edition would remedy these inconsistencies and enhance the performance of such a unique suite and be true to the original intent of the composer.