Review

Various
Ten Christmas Duets for Tubas (or Bass Trombones):

Arranged by Kenneth Knowles


Vancouver, BC, Canada
Publisher: Cherry Classics Music
Date of Publication: 2014
URL: http://www.cherryclassics.com

Primary Genre: Brass Ensemble - 2 brass
Secondary Genre: Trombone Ensembles - 2 trombones

This is a good set of duets for a unique combination that needs more literature. The duets, in the words of the arranger, focus on “melodic interplay” and “rhythmic interest” while “retaining the beauty of the classic melodies.” The melodies include O Tannenbaum, Jingle Bells, Lo How a Rose ere Blooming, First Noel, Holly and the Ivy, Silent Night, Away in a Manger, Ding Dong Merrily on High, Christ was Born on Christmas Day/Wassail and Joy to the World. Overall the arranger successfully accomplishes his goal and the settings contain interesting and varied melodic and rhythmic interest in both parts. For example Jingle Bells uses a nice swing and jazz waltz feel; Ding Dong Merrily on High contains a fun bell tone hocket figure, and Silent Night a beautiful, legato countermelody. In general the arrangements are a little better suited for tuba because of the register. The low pedal melodies make them more challenging, though not impossible, on bass trombone. Many of the arrangements, like O Tannenbaum or Wassail, are rather short, and could use more development or an additional verse setting. The settings can be played by tenor and bass trombone if the upper part is played an octave higher, or be adapted by two tenors if both play an octave higher. These are nice arrangements that are easy to put together and provide fun holiday music that can be adapted and used in many ways.

-Timothy Howe
University of Missouri