Review

Jean-François Michel
3 Tableaux:
solo trombone and four trombones

Vuarmarens, , Switzerland
Publisher: Editions Bim
Date of Publication: 2013
URL: http://www.editions-bim.com

Score and parts

Primary Genre: Solo Tenor Trombone - with brass
Secondary Genre: Trombone Ensembles - 5 trombones

Jean-François Michel is a Swiss-born trumpet player, composer, and professor at the Conservatoire in Fribourg, Switzerland. Michel’s work Trois Tableaux (Three pictures), is written for solo trombone with trombone quartet accompaniment for the French trombonist Jacques Mauger and the Corpus Trombone Quartet for the 115th Anniversary Gala at the Liszt Academy in Budapest, Hungary. Trois Tableaux is written in three movements with each movement depicting a different scene, I. Carrousel (Carousel), II. Nocturne, and III. Tarantella. In Carrousel, the solo trombone acts as the carousel director, leading the quartet through the highs and lows, fast and slows of a carousel ride. Written in triple meter, Carrousel is waltz-like, interspersed with virtuosic cadenzas for the soloist. These cadenzas begin at a markedly slower pace before speeding up to an exciting moment before the ensemble begins the ride again. Sudden dynamic changes also add additional playfulness to this movement. Nocturne contains a simple and beautiful melody written exclusively in the middle register, giving reprieve to the soloist. Tarantella is rhythmically driving with meter changes, and the accompaniment parts are more independent. The accompaniment drops out twice during this movement, featuring the soloist playing technically challenging material, building the tension of the dance. A straight mute is required for the solo part, while cup and straight mutes are required for the four accompanying parts. The bass trombone part contains challenging octave leaps down to FF. The first trombone part extends up to c2, while the solo trombone part extends up to d2. This is a piece written for advanced performers on all parts. While the quartet parts are difficult, the solo trombone part is even more so. This exciting virtuosic work is suitable for advanced college groups and professionals.

-Russell Ballenger
University of Mary