Downtown Diversions

Adam Gorb

Adam Gorb

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Subtitle: Concerto for Trombone and Wind Band

General Info

Year: 2000
Duration: c. 17:30
Difficulty: V (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Maecenas Music
Cost: Score and Parts (print) - ₤80.50   |   Score Only (print) - ₤24.95

Movements

1. I – 5:35
2. II – 6:05
3. III – 1:40

Instrumentation

Full Score
Solo Trombone
C Piccolo
Flute I-II
Oboe I-II
Bassoon I-II
Contrabassoon
E-flat Soprano Clarinet
B-flat Soprano Clarinet I-II-III
B-flat Bass Clarinet
E-flat Alto Saxophone I-II
B-flat Tenor Saxophone
E-flat Baritone Saxophone
B-flat Trumpet I-II-III
Horn in F I-II-III-IV
Trombone I-II
Bass Trombone
Tuba
String Bass
Piano
Percussion

(percussion detail desired)

Errata

None discovered thus far.

Program Notes

The piece all trombonists have been shouting for; a triumph of Gorb's stylish, almost casual brilliance, immaculate timing, melodic invention and instinctive mastery of resources. Scoring is deft, even delicate, the solo writing rewardingly characteristic while avoiding all those cringe-making trombone clichés. The gently swung, bluesy second movement is some of the best cod [sic] jazz you will ever hear.

- Program Note from publisher

The character of this work is that of a serenade or divertimento but with jazz and Latin influences. I have attempted to explore the mercurial aspects of the solo trombone, avoiding more commonplace characteristics of the instrument (there is not a single glissando for the soloist.) The piece is in three movements -- fast – slow – fast -- that alternate dance-like and more lyrical passages. The first movement is swift and light footed and contains the two main themes that form the basis for the whole work, the first at the start by the lone soloist, and a more singing second subject that becomes the main theme for the laid-back second movement. Here the band consists of saxophones, brass and rhythm section only. The woodwind and horns return for the finale, which is a variation of the first movement in 10/8 time. The writing for the soloist becomes more virtuosic as the movement progresses and leads to an abrupt conclusion.

- Program Note by composer

Media

• Audio: Reference recording. Ensemble and conductor unknown

State Ratings

None discovered thus far.

Performances

To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project

• University of Cincinnati (Ohio) College-Conservatory of Music Wind Symphony (Kevin Michael Holzman, conductor; Timothy Anderson, trombone) – 29 March 2019
• Dunshan Symphonic Wind Orchestra (Beijing, China) (Adrian Schneider, conductor; Shan Kuan, trombone) - 2013
• Texas Tech University (Lubbock) Symphonic Wind Ensemble (John Cody Birdwell, conductor; Don Lucas, trombone) – 24 February 2001 (CBDNA 2001 National Conference, Denton, Tx.) *Premiere Performance*

Works for Winds by This Composer

Adaptable Music

• A Little Tango Music (Flex instrumentation) (2007/2020)

All Wind Works

• Adrenaline City (2006)
• African Samba (2006)
• Ascent (1996/2004)
• Awayday (1996)
• Awayday (arr. Wintringham) (1999/2015)
• Battle Symphony (1999)
• Bells Across the Atlantic (2013)
• Bermuda Triangle (1994)
• Bohemian Revelry (2013)
• Bohemian Revelry: For Chamber Ensemble (2013/2021)
• Bohemian Revelry (tr. Holland) (2013/2017)
• Bridgewater Breeze (1996)
• Candlelight Procession (2001)
• Concerto for Violin, Viola and Wind Ensemble (2022)
• Dances from Crete (2003)
• Downtown Diversions (2000)
• Eine Kleine Walzermusik (2009)
• Eine Kleine Yiddishe Ragmusik (2003)
• Elements (1998)
• Euphonium Concerto 1997
• Farewell (2008)
• French Dances Revisited (2004)
• A Little Salsa Music
• A Little Tango Music (2007)
• Metropolis (1992)
• Midnight in Buenos Aires (2007)
• Out of the Darkness (2023)
• Parade of the Wooden Warriors (1999)
• Pikes Peak (2017)
• Repercussions (2011)
• Scenes from an English Landscape
• Scenes from Bruegel (1994)
• Suite for Winds (1993)
• Summer Dances (2012)
• Sunrise and Safari (2006)
• Symphony No. 1 in C (2000)
• Three Way Suite
• Towards Nirvana (2002)
• Tranquility (2009)
• Viderunt Omnes (2014)
• Yiddish Dances (1997)
• Yiddish Dances (Chamber) (1997/2020)

Resources

• Adam Gorb website Accessed 2 April 2019
• Gorb, A. (2001). Downtown Diversions : For Trombone and Wind Orchestra [score]. Maecenas Music: Kenley, England.
• Perusal score