Review

Scott Joplin
Maple Leaf Rag :

Arranged by Michael D. McGuire


Vancouver, BC, Canada
Publisher: Cherry Classics Music
Date of Publication: 2013
URL: http://www.cherryclassics.com

Score and parts

Primary Genre: Trombone Ensembles - 6 trombones

Maple Leaf Rag, as arranged by Michael D. McGuire, is scored for four tenor and two bass trombones. The famous piece was originally published in 1899 as one of Scott Joplin’s earliest rags. This arrangement retains all of the classic hallmarks of the rag, including its form, iconic figures, and basic harmonic structure. Mr. McGuire also retained the original key of the rag, securing a range from AA-flat to d-flat2.
 
Mr. McGuire’s arrangement places the bass line solely within the second bass trombone part, save a couple of measures at the end of the A section. The first bass trombone provides part of the broken-chord harmonies found in the left hand of the original work with frequent help from the third and fourth tenor trombones. Although the third and fourth trombones begin the A section with the melodic figure, their role is primarily to facilitate the division of the other parts. The two uppermost voices appear the most prominently in the remainder of the piece. The upper voices require the most flexibility and Mr. McGuire honors their labors with well-planned rests. In these passages, primary melodic material is passed to the third trombone. None of the four lowest voices rest for longer than two measures. In spite of the near continuous playing of up to six voices, some of the harmonies are stripped down with the removal of chordal sevenths and even thirds.
 
Performers may find the arrangement deceptively challenging at times. Maple Leaf Rag is a thoroughly continuous piece and provides for virtually no variability in affect or tempo. The second trombone part is also a bit cumbersome at first in bass clef. Even so, performers that bring the required strength and discipline to the piece will be rewarded with a potentially effective crowd-pleaser.

-Andrew Farina
Detroit, MI