Review

David Stout
Al Circo:

Arranged by Louis Setzer

Trombone and harp

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Publisher: Cherry Classics Music
Date of Publication: 1968 / 2019
URL: http://www.cherryclassics.com

Score and solo part

Primary Genre: Solo Tenor Trombone - with other instruments

David Stout is on the faculty at the University of North Texas where he is Professor of Composition Studies and Coordinator for Initiative for Advanced Research in Technology and the Arts. His eclectic works include live cinema performance, video-dance, experimental film and animation, print-making, mixed media installation, electro-acoustic music composition, sound-art and large-scale telematic video events that emphasize multi-screen projection as an extension of performer, audience and architecture. Al Circo (To the Circus) was written in 1968 while the composer was a student at the Eastman School of Music. Trombonist Fred Boyd and harpist Carolyn Kuban premiered it that year. Dr. Louis Setzer, the author of Solo Literature for Trombone and Harp - An Annotated Bibliography, rediscovered the work and received permission from the composer to edit the composition from the original pencil manuscript. Cast in two short movements, Maestoso and Allegro, the writing is tonal with chromatic inflections, colorful, witty and idiomatic for both instruments. The technical demands for the trombone are modest but do require good range, rhythmic skills and a keen awareness of ensemble and balance. There is a Soundcloud recording of the second movement available at https://soundcloud.com/cherry-classics-music/stout-al-circo-for-trombone-and-harp.