Review

Various
Christmas with a Twist: for trombone and MP3 accompaniments

Arranged by Larry Clark


New York, NY, United States
Publisher: Carl Fischer
Date of Publication: 2014
URL: http://www.carlfischer.com

Score and compact disc.

Primary Genre: Solo Tenor Trombone - with media

Subtitled “11 Popular Christmas Carols in a Variety of Styles,” this is the trombone version in a series for flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, trombone and violin. The set includes a solo book and a CD containing two MP3 files for each carol; one track provides accompaniment alone, the other includes the solo track. Also on the CD are piano accompaniments in PDF files with the solo part notated in concert pitch treble clef. All of the carols are arranged in different popular styles with each noted in the tempo marking: Angels We Have Heard on High as a “60's Rock Ballad;” The First Noel as “Punk Rock;” We Three Kings as “Fast Swing;” etc. 	
 
The synthesized MP3 accompaniments are quite inventive and range from solo piano to, in the case of Carol of the Bells, full orchestra. The printed piano accompaniments are similar to the synthesized versions and include chord changes, allowing the players to add a guitar and/or bass to expand the ensemble.
 
The arranger has written the solo part almost exclusively in the middle range, with the highest note g1 and the lowest G. The solo part is technically challenging and assumes a good player with the ability to play well in different styles. However, if one is not comfortable with jazz phrasing there is not much editorial help in this regard; of course, the performers can always listen to the MP3 recording to find out. Does Up on the Housetop in “50's Style Shuffle” use swing eighth notes? Yes it does. For players wishing to get out in the community during Christmas time there certainly is a place for these pieces, either for the single trombonist with a portable sound system, with a pianist, or with a rhythm section.

-David Mathie
Boise State University