Review

Henry Wolking
Child's Garden:

, United States
Publisher: Wolking Music
Date of Publication: 2011

score and parts

Primary Genre: Brass Ensemble - 5 brass

A Child’s Garden of Jazz is an original composition for brass quintet inspired by selected childhood experiences of composer, Henry Wolking. Each movement represents Wolking’s musical imagery of his dreams and childhood reflections. Wolking is a trombonist and composer who worked for nearly 40 years at the University of Utah School of Music. His composition and arranging output include settings for solo, chamber, jazz, and orchestra. A Child’s Garden of Jazz is set in three movements. The first, medium swing, the second, ballad, and the third, rondo featuring both ragtime and tango sections. Ranges extend from b-flat to e3 in trumpet 1, b-flat to a2 in trumpet 2, a to g1 in the horn part, E to a1 in trombone, and GG to g in the tuba part. Straight mute is needed for the trumpet 1 part in the third movement. The second and third movements require special effects in the trumpet, horn and trombone parts. Performers are asked to implement bends, flutter tongue, and trills. This piece should be playable by advanced high school musicians and above; it is not difficult technically. There are however, instances of triple and duple subdivisions within single measures and passages that challenge the range and endurance of the trumpet 1 player. Score and parts are marked clearly with articulations, tempi, style, dynamics, and include program notes. The combination of various styles and compositional techniques makes this an interesting work for brass quintet. 

-Anthony Williams
University of Northern Iowa