Review

Mogens and Johannes Andresen
Prelude & Polska:
eight trombones, piano, bass, and percussion

Coventry, , United Kingdom
Publisher: Warwick Music Publishers
Date of Publication: 2008
URL: http://www.warwickmusic.com

Primary Genre: Trombone Ensembles - 8 trombones
Secondary Genre: Jazz Material - ensemble

Composed by the Head of Brass at the Royal Danish Academy of Music, Copenhagen, Mogens Andresen and his son Johannes, Prelude & Polska is a large-scale, jazz-influenced work. Part 1 is written for alto trombone, part 2 for jazz trombone, parts 3-6 for tenor trombones, in tenor clef, and parts 7-8 for bass trombones. There are no extreme ranges in any of the parts but there are some large skips.  Straight and Harmon mutes are indicated, and at times there might not be enough time to get the mutes in or out, so doubling of parts should be helpful. Percussion includes glockenspiel, triangle, suspended cymbal, bass drum, tom tom, and drum set. Because of the tempo changes, it will most likely be necessary to have a conductor.

The prelude can be divided into five sections. A chorale-like section introduces the work, with mutes providing color changes and percussion emphasizing various harmonic moments. The second section is a bit longer and starts with alla breve eighth-note pulse in solo piano. There are many statement-answer moments between rhythm section and trombones. The texture is still somewhat chorale-like with staccato accompaniment figures and ends with a return to the introductory piano material. The third section calls for effects at different tempi, with parts 1 through 4 directed to lip glissando up and down from designated pitches while parts 5 through 8 perform a loud chord-building with added percussion emphasis. Piano and glockenspiel are given scales to perform “out of pulse.” This will take some coordination to put together. A cadenza immediately follows for the tenor part 3 with Harmon mute.  This solo is filled with rhythmic challenges and the player must be able to manipulate the mute open/close. The final section returns to the chorale texture with creative harmonic events enhanced with percussion. 

A transition sets up the polka section, which is written in 3/4 meter, but with a larger two-feel in its rhythms and in the rhythm section. This is where the drumset is indicated and the player must have flexibility to move in and out of various feels. Melodic material is scored in piano and the ensemble responds with an orchestrated version. Harmon mutes are indicated which provides a distinct color change. There is a moment for rhythm section changes and solos, which is followed by a solo section for the jazz player. Accompaniment figures are scored in the ensemble parts. A chorale interlude follows using some of the prelude material that leads into an open piano solo. The final section is filled with rhythmic intricacies of overlapping triplets.

This is an extremely challenging work for trombone ensemble. While none of the parts are particularly demanding and the key centers are reasonable, putting this together will require rehearsal. If you are looking for something different to challenge your ensemble that includes rhythm section, this is a good selection.

-David Stern
Lewiston, Maine