Review

Ken Davies
Wisconsin Uprising:

Gautier, MS, United States
Publisher: Kenvad Music
Date of Publication: 2011

Score and parts

Primary Genre: Trombone Ensembles - 7 trombones

According to the composer, Wisconsin Uprising is inspired and influenced by union protests against the governor at the Wisconsin state capital in 2011. Scored for alto, four tenor, bass and contrabass trombones, this is a well-written and rhythmically driven piece. It is tightly constructed around a short motivic cell from the opening gesture and a series of sixteenth note fanfares that start as a brief interjection and gradually evolve over the course of the piece into something larger and more potent. Davis uses a whole array of effects including pyramids, clusters, canon, hocket, glissandi, mixed meter, rhythmic displacement, texture changes, plunger mute, and various muted combinations to convey the tension and drama of the union protests. According to the composer, tuba or another bass trombone may be substituted for contrabass trombone. The alto trombone part uses a moderate range, a to c2, and can be played on tenor, though the composer may be looking for the distinct color of alto trombone. Davies won the 2009 Eastern Trombone Workshop National Composition Competition with Three Pieces for bass trombone and piano and has delivered another promising work for college level trombone ensemble. 

-Tim Howe
University of Missouri