Review

Jeremy Niles Kempton
Lament: for Trombone and Organ or Piano
for Trombone and Organ or Piano

Vancouver, BC, , Canada
Publisher: Cherry Classics Music
Date of Publication: 2014
URL: http://www.cherryclassics.com

Primary Genre: Solo Tenor Trombone - with organ
Secondary Genre: Solo Tenor Trombone - with piano

This new solo piece by composer, conductor, and trombonist, Jeremy Niles Kempton is dedicated in remembrance of Helen Manheim. Ms. Manheim was a violist in Mr. Kempton’s orchestra, the Island Chamber Symphony of Long Island, New York. Lament  is a through-composed work in several sections. The tonal language consists of diatonic harmony and melody, with a melancholic feel as the title suggests. Octave doublings between the solo line and the accompaniment make a convincing case for organ accompaniment. A recording of the composer performing the piece may be found on CherryClassics.com, and an orchestral version is also available via Cherry Classics. The range of the solo part, from d-flat to b-flat1, makes the piece accessible to advanced students, but the lengthy phrases might create an endurance challenge. This reflective piece is suitable as devotional music in a church service and may be utilized as a recital piece, especially if a moment of remembrance is appropriate.