Concerto for Trombone and Concert Band

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Derek Bourgeois


Contents

General Info

Year: 1989
Duration: c. 20:00
Difficulty: V (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: G and M Brand - British Music Publishers
Cost: Score & Parts - $225.00   |   Score Only - $25.00


Instrumentation

Full Score
Trombone Solo
Piccolo
Flute I-II
Oboe I-II
Bassoon I-II
Eb Soprano Clarinet
Bb Soprano Clarinet I-II-III
Eb Alto Clarinet
Bb Bass Clarinet
Alto Saxophone I-II
Tenor Saxophone
Baritone Saxophone
Cornet (in Bb) I-II-III
Trumpet (in Bb) I-II
French Horn I-II-III-IV
Trombone I-II-III
Euphonium
Tuba
String Bass
Timpani
Percussion I, including:

  • Cymbals (crash and suspended)
  • Glockenspiel
  • Gong (Tam-tam)
  • Snare Drum
  • Whip


Errata

None discovered thus far.


Program Notes

The first movement of Derek Bourgeois' Concerto for Trombone and Concert Band is constructed classically: the solo trombone immediately launches into the opening theme in F minor, conceived harmonically in a sequence of descending thirds and it is the solo trombone that introduces the second lyrical theme, in A-flat, presented over chords which are given mobility by dark-toned alto and bass clarinets.

These contrasting subjects give the composer ample opportunity to let loose his fertile imagination, whether expanding on the Baroque qualities of the opening material in a fugato section for woodwinds, or boldly stating the romantic second theme on brass leading to cascading septuplets, or with the soloist presenting the first theme in augmentation against a ripple of semi-quavers.

After this development, there is virtually a formal recapitulation in the woodwinds and the soloist repeats the second theme in tonic (F Major). The movement closes with pianissimo chords - no great bravura here, but leading us in mood to the second movement which opens a tone lower in E-flat.

Here, the rich tone of the soloist is matched by three accompanying trombones - with the writing matching the expressiveness of a cello quartet. Gradually the rest of the low brass join as the solo trombone weaves a seamless, almost Wagnerian theme, extending phrases sequentially. This movement has two seperate thoughts and a solo clarinet answers the solo trombone with a new theme accompanied by three horns, euphonium and pizzicato string bass.

Whilst most of the slow movement is contemplative, Bourgeois allows the band to unleash the full foritssimo passion implied in the second theme, clarinet theme, before the movement closes as it began - but this time only two trombones accompany the soloist and all three are muted.

After the passion of the slow movement, Bourgeois adopts a classical rondo form as a 6/8 Scherzo, marked Presto, which gives the release we need. It is fun, to be thrown off lightly as we enjoy the semitone shifts with a wry smile. Towards the end of the movement is a cadenza which alludes to the thematic content of the first movement, but aurally the hard work has been done. For the soloist, however, the music requires a virtuoso combination of slide and tongue.

Derek Bourgeois' Concerto for Trombone and Concert Band was commissioned by the British Trombone Society for the International Trombone Workshop at Eaton, England, July 1989, with greatfully acknowledged assistance from Southern Arts. The world premiere was given by Christian Lindberg.


Program Note from Printed Score


Commercial Discography

None discovered thus far.


Audio Links


State Ratings

None discovered thus far.


Recent Performances

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Additional Works for Winds by this Composer


Additional Resources

None discovered thus far.




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