Review

Ken Davies
Crossroads: for two trombones and piano

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Publisher: Kenvad Music
Date of Publication: 2011

Primary Genre: Chamber Music
Secondary Genre: Trombone Ensembles - 2 trombones

Ken Davies, winner of the 2009 Eastern Trombone Workshop Composition Competition, wrote Crossroads for Ben McIlwain, trombone professor at the University of Southern Mississippi. This work was designed to facilitate performances with colleagues on university guest artist recitals, and on that front, it succeeds.

Crossroads opens deceivingly with a melody reminiscent of the popular bass trombone excerpt from Kodaly’s Háry János Suite. This tonally accessible material is presented as a fanfare alternating between the two trombones, but it belies the fact that much of the piece is based on either a pitch-class set or 12-tone row. Such a tonal, melodic opening causes the music to seem unfocused as it becomes less dependent on a key center. Davies tries to offer interest through pop or jazz rhythmic figures; performing faster than the indicated moderate tempos will likely make the piece more vibrant. Interplay between the two trombones is less fulfilling than the interplay between trombones and piano; often the two trombones combine to present counterpoint to the piano. With a range from B-flat to a-flat1 neither part is especially taxing. 

Davies accomplishes his goal of providing a work that is fit for travel and collaboration, but the non-tonal aspects of Crossroads will require consideration of the dissonance in order to present a balanced program. While it is aimed at professional trombonists, two dedicated undergraduates could also tackle this work. Its range is approachable and its technical challenges are limited to about fifteen measures of sixteenth notes at quarter note equals 88.

- Justin Isenhour
Ouachita Baptist University