Review

Mike Kempster
Animal ‘Bones:

Coventry, , United Kingdom
Publisher: Warwick Music Publishers
Date of Publication: 2007
URL: http://www.warwickmusic.com

Primary Genre: Trombone Ensembles - 4 trombones

Comprised of four alternating style short movements each with an animal connection, Kempster indicates in the program note that this arrangement is intended for young players to enjoy chamber ensemble performance and practice idiomatic trombone features, i.e. legato, lip slurs, controlled forte, etc. Parts one and four are intended for a slightly advanced player, while the other two parts are more accessible. B-flat, treble clef versions of the top three parts are included. The first movement, Flighty Fanfare, provides a 30-second introduction with articulated and triplet passages in binary form. Sleazy Sloth is indicated with “Lazy Swing” and lasts approximately one minute. It features a walking bass line, harmonic counterpoint, and a melody in the first part. Traditional glisses and slide vibrato markings allow for “trombone” sounds to be practiced in an authentic style. The triple meter Ponderous ‘Potamus Positions is scored in the key of F major and also lasts approximately one minute. Numerous opportunities exist for practicing f in alternate sixth position. Traditional pyramid chord stacking are scored and the bass trombonist is given the opening melodic material.  Slithering Slides begins, as to be expected, with staggered glissandi. Expecting the fourth movement to be upbeat and humorous, the AABBA form not only provides some clever compositional ideas, but it also allows for students to learn about a simple form in a meaningful way. This is an engaging collection of quartets, any of which can stand on their own.

-David Stern
Houston, TX