Review

Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov
Concerto: for trombone and band

Arranged by Timothy Hutchens

Trombone and piano

Ithaca, NY, United States
Publisher: Ensemble Publications
Date of Publication: 2018
URL: http://www.enspub.com

Score and solo part

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

This is a standard repertoire item that almost every trombonist encounters at some point in their career. Originally premiered in Russia in 1878, it was not published until 1950 as part of the complete works of N.A. Rimsky-Korsakov. Since that time it has been recorded numerous times and subjected to many editions. The publisher includes the following remarks about this new edition: The revised and corrected 2018 edition by Dr. Timothy Hutchens features an urtext approach, with all the editorial additions that have crept into this work over the years removed. The solo part is how Rimsky-Korsakov intended it to be, free of octave displacements, altered phrases and other modifications. Equally important, this edition also features a new piano part that is both easier to play and, as a reduction, conforms more closely to the original band score. It includes a foreword by Douglas Yeo and editor's notes by Dr. Hutchens. The solo part is in bass clef throughout, and is nicely laid out over six pages with easy page turns. Both parts feature rehearsal markings to coordinate with earlier editions.

This edition includes an excellent historical introduction by Doug Yeo as well as additional editorial comments by Dr. Hutchens. The piano reduction was created with assistance from collaborative pianist Aimee Fincher. This is indeed a welcome breath of fresh air to a work that has been much maligned and altered over the years and should become the go to edition for all trombone/piano performances.

Dr. Timothy Hutchens holds the DMA degree from Arizona State University where he studied with Doug Yeo. He has served as an adjunct professor teaching trombone and music appreciation at Murray State University as well as adjunct professor of music at the University of Tennessee, Martin. He is currently a member of the Navy Band Southwest, stationed in San Diego.