Review

Nicholaus Meyers
Awakening:
trombone and marimba

, United States
Publisher: Nicholaus Meyers
Date of Publication: 2014

Primary Genre: Solo Tenor Trombone - with other instruments

Nicholaus Meyers, Assistant Professor of Music at Valley City State University, composed Awakening for himself and his colleague, trombonist James Adams. This six-minute composition for trombone and marimba was premiered at Valley City State University on September 15, 2014.
 
The piece opens with a slow, softly declamatory introduction in the trombone over sustained rolls in the marimba. The accompaniment then transitions to single note, ostinato-like arpeggios while the trombone plays long legato phrases with multiphonics.  A fast and aggressive B section, complete with rapid sixteenth-note exchanges between the two instruments, provides contrast both dynamically and stylistically. The piece returns to a slower tempo with additional multiphonics before returning to the fast thematic material of the B section for the climactic finish on c2.
 
Awakening is a relatively short work that can act as an excellent introduction to the somewhat limited and lesser-known repertoire for trombone and percussion. Neither part is particularly challenging. The trombone’s range, E-flat to c2, is suitable for tenor or bass trombone and the marimba part requires only moderate four-mallet technique. For students looking to add variety to their program, this piece will fit nicely on any undergraduate trombone or percussion recital. 
 
-Eric High
St. Norbert College