Review

von Weber Carl Maria
Romance:

Arranged by Benjamin Coy

Trombone and wind ensemble

Vancouver, BC, , Canada
Publisher: Cherry Classics Music
Date of Publication: 2017
URL: http://www.cherryclassics.com

Score and parts

Primary Genre: Solo Tenor Trombone - with band

This is an excellent and serviceable arrangement of Weber's standard, classic trombone solo originally written for trombone and piano. This new arrangement is part of a growing number of standard trombone solo accompaniments which are being re-scored for band and reflect the greater opportunities for trombone solo with band. The trombone solo part is unaltered from the original. Band scoring is fairly conventional and the accompaniment will often alternate between block woodwind accompaniment and block brass accompaniment in an effort to not allow the band to overwhelm the soloist in softer sections. The only scoring that seems uncharacteristic to early nineteenth century common practice is the active xylophone part, which doubles arpeggios in the saxophone parts. One wonders if clarinet or even marimba would perhaps have been a better choice, creating a better blend with saxophones. Otherwise the scoring is quite sensitive. Due to somewhat difficult arpeggios in the woodwinds and percussion, and sensitive, rubato trombone solo passages, this probably is a Grade 4 accompaniment.