Review

Lloyd Conley
Swingin’ Classical Dances:

Delevan, NY, United States
Publisher: Kendor Music
Date of Publication: 2010
URL: http://www.kendormusic.com

Primary Genre: Jazz Material - ensemble
Secondary Genre: Trombone Ensembles - 4 trombones

Lloyd Conley arranged two classical dances into a swing setting for trombone quartet. The first selection is an adaptation of Antonín Dvořák’s Humoresque. The second dance is loosely derived from Amilcare Ponchielli’s “Dance of the Hours” from the opera La Gioconda. The quartet transforms the dances by moving them toward the swing genre with jazz-influenced harmonies and rhythms.

Swingin’ Classical Dances appears to be intended for advanced or upper-level high school trombonists. Range is confined from F to g1 in an ensemble that is largely homorhythmic. Systematic syncopation in patterns and passages that frequently repeat allow easy acquisition and retention for young musicians. Students will need to be guided at various points regarding articulation, how to properly swing the rhythms and keep the ensemble together. Mr. Conley includes editorial markings throughout to facilitate the teaching process. These stylistic elements pose the greatest challenges to the performers. More intrepid musicians may attempt to improvise a four-bar passage in the Dvořák, where chard changes are provided. No other improvisation opportunities are explicitly afforded.

The settings provide a light-hearted and playful selection for a competition or to supplement a concert. The two dances are paired together in the publication, but they could be effective on their own. It is doubtful, however, that the audience or even performers will make a connection to the source dances. The selection by Ponchielli is especially difficult to recognize, but this by no means detracts from the attractiveness of the quartet.

-Andrew Farina
Detroit, MI