Review

David F. Wilborn
Fantasy on an Anglican Hymn:

Coventry, , United Kingdom
Publisher: Warwick Music Publishers
Date of Publication: 2010
URL: http://www.warwickmusic.com

Primary Genre: Trombone Ensembles - 8 trombones

Fantasy on an Anglican Hymn was composed in the fall of 2009 for Texas Universities Trombone Teachers Ensemble, who premiered the work at the 2010 Texas Music Educators Conference.  David Wilborn is an associate professor of music at Texas A&M University where he teaches low brass and is the director of the University Campus band and Trombone Choir. Its theme is based on the Thaxted melody from The Planets by Gustav Holst. This however is not an arrangement but rather a true fantasy, with the original melody being used in small and large snippets and in a variety of rhythmic and harmonic settings. The work begins as one might expect, exploring the lyrical qualities of the melody while using interesting eighth note lines as accompaniment. The composer moves the solo lines around quite freely so all players have the opportunity to perform melody and harmony material. He also varies the texture nicely from the full eight parts down to one or two and back again. The highlight of the work is however the jazz waltz section. Yes, I did say jazz waltz and it works! It is well written, has a great feel and flow, and just enough of the original melody so the player and listener can hear the theme. Part one is written up to c2 on a number of occasions but also contains enough rest to be playable by most college performers. The bass trombone 2 part ranges down to AA-flat but like parts 2-7 is playable and enjoyable for the performer. The jazz waltz section is well marked for articulation and the style is clearly evident if the articulations are followed closely. I highly recommend this work. It is interesting, challenging, and enjoyable for performer and listener. Thaxted as a jazz waltz? I say enthusiastically YES.

-Thomas Zugger
Capital University