Review

Sigismond Stojowski
Fantaisie: for Trombone solo and Wind Ensemble

Arranged by Jacob Elkin


Vancouver, BC, Canada
Publisher: Cherry Classics Music
Date of Publication: 2023
URL: http://www.cherryclassics.com

Score and parts

Primary Genre: Solo Tenor Trombone - with band

Trombone Solo, 2 flutes, 2 oboes, bassoon, 2 clarinets, bass clarinet, 2 alto saxophones, tenor and baritone saxophones, 2 trumpets in B-flat, 4 horns in F, 2 tenor trombones, bass trombone, euphonium, tuba, and harp or optional piano (25 parts).

Stojowski was born in Poland in 1870. He studied with Źeleńsky in Krakow and with Paderewski, Saint-Saëns, and Massenet at the Conservatoire in Paris, winning first prizes in piano performance, counterpoint, and fugue. In 1901 his Symphony in D minor was played at the inaugural concert of the Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra. He moved to America in 1905 and subsequently taught at Juilliard. He died in New York in 1946.

Fantaisie for Trombone and Piano was composed in 1911 and first published in New York in 1912. It’s in a romantic and lyrical extended tonal style with some of its roots in Polish folk music, and is one of the most beautiful pieces written for the trombone. This arrangement is in the original key of E major, with short succeeding sections in B-flat major, b-flat minor, f-sharp minor, D-flat major, and a highly chromatic passage with a signature of e minor, returning to E major in the final section.

The available instruments are judiciously employed to create a wide variety of tonal contrasts. The tutti ensemble is used in only three measures, all marked fortissimo. The final six measures are scored for just five supporting parts, which play pianissimo as the soloist floats ethereally up to c-sharp2 and the tuba sinks calmly to a low EE.

The solo part is given mostly in tenor clef, with bass clef used in five measures for some low register notes. Out of a total 127 measures, the soloist has 18 full measures of rest. Overall range is G to c-sharp2. Ensemble trombone parts are given throughout in bass clef, 1st topping out at a1 in measures 4 and 41. 2nd goes up to d1, bass trombone down to BB-flat. This piece is quite challenging and is appropriate for advanced performers.

Jacob Elkin lives in New York. He has performed extensively as a trombonist and is on Faculty as a brass instructor at The United Nations International School.