Review

Steven L. Rosenhaus
Nine Feet of Brass : Concerto for Trombone and Band

Forest Hills, NY, United States
Publisher: Music-Print Productions
Date of Publication: 2012

Score and parts

Primary Genre: Solo Tenor Trombone - with band

Dr. Rosenhaus serves as Adjunct Assistant Professor of Music Composition at New York University.  He is a composer, conductor, arranger, educator, clinician, show doctor, author, and performs as singer/songwriter. His concert music has been heard across the United States, Canada, Europe, Israel and Japan. A recipient of numerous awards from ASCAP, the American Composers Forum, and other organizations, his works are published by LudwigMasters Publications, Music-Print Productions, Skyline Publications, Bourne Company, and have been recorded on the Richardson, Capstone, Music for a G'Day, and MPP labels. Nine Feet of Brass was commissioned by Sacred Heart University for trombonist and SHU Band Director Keith Johnston and the Sacred Heart University Band. Keith Johnston and the SHU Band premiered it with the composer conducting in April 2012. The work is conservative and traditional from a melodic, tonal, formal and rhythmic standpoint. The languid, lyrical and jazz inflected second movement gives the soloist a chance to improvise a cadenza and a brief, one measure, jazz improvisation. Both are optional. The last movement features a repetitive syncopated rhythmic motive with jazz influenced harmonies and interesting percussion parts. The band part is not just an accompaniment to the soloist, but an equal musical partner. Aside from the standard band instruments, the scoring also calls for double bass; an electric bass might also work. It is not technically difficult; a good high school band could bring it off. The solo part resides mostly in the middle and lower register and poses little in the way of technical, flexibility or endurance challenges. It does however require good rhythmic skills and musical intuition. For trombonists looking for a good piece of music to perform that includes the band as an equal partner and features a solo part that is interesting but not difficult, this fits the bill.

-Karl Hinterbichler
University of New Mexico