Review

Anthony Plog
Ride Em Cowboy: for flügelhorn and trombone
flügelhorn and trombone

Vuarmarens, , Switzerland
Publisher: Editions Bim
Date of Publication: 2011
URL: http://www.editions-bim.com

Primary Genre: Brass Ensemble - 2 brass

Anthony Plog is an internationally renown musician who has recently devoted considerable time to composition, producing operas and concerti as well as new brass works. This recent jazz duet for flugelhorn and trombone will not disappoint those familiar with Plog’s compositional style. Its fast-paced, driving rhythms and unique harmonies are based upon the interval of a third, both within the individual lines and between the parts. This non-traditional but jazzy piece is quite fun to play.

Ranges are approachable. Written in the expected B-flat treble clef, fluegelhorn covers written c1 to b2 but stays below g2 much of the time. Trombone spans B-flat to a1 but mostly lives at or below f1 and is written solely in bass clef. The many accidentals create challenging lines of mixed half and whole steps that consist of running eighth notes patterns extended over two or three measures at a time. Half note tempo is = 96-100; definitely a good challenge to sight read. This piece is appropriate for medium-advanced players  and works well for lessons as well as recitals.

-Donald Babcock
Eastern Michigan University