Review

Elizabeth Raum
Four Elements:
trumpet and trombone

Vancouver, BC, Canada
Publisher: Cherry Classics Music
Date of Publication: 2015
URL: http://www.cherryclassics.com

Performing score.

Primary Genre: Brass Ensemble - 2 brass

Elizabeth Raum’s Four Elements was originally composed in 1980 for bass trombone and violin. More recently, David William Brubeck, Professor of Music at the Kendall Campus of Miami Dade College, approached the composer looking for a duo to perform with trumpet. Raum took the opportunity to adapt the violin part for trumpet.
 
The piece is given in four movements, each named after one of the elements that form all matter in classical Greek science. The mood of each movement is related to its title.  Water is first, with both instruments exchanging melodic statements in a relaxed, flowing manner. The music becomes turbulent as the trumpet and trombone begin playing more forcefully before returning to a tranquil mood with cup mutes indicated at the end. Earth is next, performed in a lighthearted and swinging 12/8. The slow movement, Air, is performed relatively freely and with harmon mutes. Finally there is the aggressive and spirited Fire, filled with rapid multiple-tonguing passages and highly syncopated lines.  
 
Unlike the majority of Elizabeth Raum’s compositions, this early piece was written at a time when she was experimenting with serial music. This work is an example; its main tone row is presented in its entirety at the beginning. There are challenging elements to both parts; the piece is melodically as well as rhythmically complex and requires mature interpretive skills. The work is suggested for advanced performers on the Cherry Classics website, likely because of these challenges. Originally written for bass trombone, the range of the trombone part, D to f1, allows for performance on either bass or F-attachment tenor trombone. Trumpet ranges from g to b-flat2; parts in B-flat and C are included.
 
Four Elements should not be overlooked. It will challenge players in both the trombone and trumpet community for years to come.

-Eric High
St. Norbert College