Review

Various
The Modern Repertory of Vocalise-Études: Thirty Short Pieces for Stage and Studio by Various Composers:

Arranged by Robert Benton


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Publisher: Potenza Music Publishing
Date of Publication: 2013

Spiral bound etude books include compact disc containing piano accompaniment scores in Portable Document File format.

Primary Genre: Study Material - etude
Secondary Genre: Solo Tenor Trombone - with piano

In the early 20th century, Amédée-Louis Hettich, a professor of voice at the Paris Conservatory, set out to compile a set of vocalises written in the current style to supplement the collection of Italian bel canto vocalises that were predominant at the time. After approaching dozens of modern composers, Hettich had collected 159 modern etudes for voice and piano and entitled them Répertoire Moderne de Vocalises- Études. Dr. Robert Benton, instructor of euphonium and tuba at the University of Windsor and Adrian College, has taken the first thirty of these vocalises and edited them for euphonium/tenor trombone as well as tuba/bass trombone, and presents them in two, separate volumes. Significant composers in this collection include: Gabriel Fauré, J. Guy Ropartz, Henri Busser, Paul Dukas, Vincent d’Indy and Maurice Ravel. 

Benton’s goal in presenting these etudes parallels Hettich’s: to explore various styles of music in our training. These etudes are a great way to broaden our scope beyond the bel canto Bordogni vocalises. Due to the time period and location of the composers, many of the vocalises are written in a French impressionistic style, incorporating chromaticism in the melodies and harmonies as well as rhythmically florid passages. These quick-moving passages are more idiomatic for valves than slide, however that should not keep the trombonist from performing these beautiful melodies.   

This collection comes with compact disc containing pdf files of piano accompaniments, which fully bring to life the harmonic intent of the composers. These works serve well as recital and/or jury pieces for any college-level student. All etudes are written in bass clef and with the exception of three etudes, the tuba/bass trombone vocalises are transposed down an octave from the trombone volume. This collection is available through Potenza Music. www.potenzamusic.com

-Cory Mixdorf
University of Arkansas