Review

Jean-François Michel
Prelude, Romance, Bacchanale :

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

Piano score and solo part

Primary Genre: Solo Tenor Trombone - with piano

Jean-François Michel, a virtuoso trumpeter, is currently professor of trumpet at the Fribourg Conservatoire in Switzerland. Before assuming this post, he was principal trumpet in the Munich Philharmonic Orchestra. His numerous original compositions are being performed and recorded worldwide. Gradually composing is becoming his major activity. He has already penned a number of works for trombone. BIM describes Prelude, Romance, Bacchanale as follows: …conceived as three distinct consecutive musical sequences of “upper medium” difficulty. They challenge and stimulate the soloist's imagination, musical expression and knowledge of musical style.
 
The piece is dedicated to Alain Robiolio, a renowned architect and family therapist who lives in Fribourg, and is also an active trombone player in a noted brass band. It strives to combine pedagogical and musical aims that include adapting good music to specific technical levels. The demands of both the trombone and piano parts are such that a good amateur can navigate these without too much difficulty. The three sections are to be performed attacca; the Prelude and Romance are pedestrian and use the piano in an accompanying role. This is in contrast to the rousing, interesting, and more intricate music of the Bacchanale, which treats the two instruments as equal partners.
 
Traditional in harmony, melody and rhythm, without being trite or hackneyed, this is worthy material for a college level recital. The score is beautifully engraved, especially noteworthy is a gorgeous, glossy, color reproduction on the cover: Carvaggio’s Adolescent Bacchus.

-Karl Hinterbichler
University of New Mexico