Review

Antonin Dvorak
Largo:

Arranged by Edward Hayes in collaboration with Frank Harmantas


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

Score and parts

Primary Genre: Trombone Ensembles - 6 trombones

Edward Hayes has written a beautiful arrangement of this haunting Dvořák melody for trombone ensemble. Scored for five tenors and one bass trombone, this work seems to be orchestrated with the needs of a developing college trombone ensemble in mind. Tenor parts trade off the main melodic material to give each player an opportunity to perform multiple ensemble roles, and everyone gets a chance to rest—even the bass trombonist!
 
This is not in any way a direct transcription of the original. It skips the minor key middle section of the orchestral version and is completely re-voiced to best utilize the unique tonal qualities of a trombone ensemble. While the highest tenor parts do reach up to b1, they do not stay in that register for long. Likewise, the bass part only goes down to C and spends most of its time in the lower middle register.
 
Aside from two awkward accidental choices in the first trombone part in m.35, score and parts are extremely well edited. This work provides a great opportunity to a student ensemble working on improving intonation, blending, phrasing, and/or legato playing and is a welcome addition to any trombone ensemble concert.

-Greg Strohman
Dickinson College