Review

Erika Raum
The Confessions of St. Augustine :
Solo trombone

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Publisher: Cherry Classics Music
Date of Publication: 2000 / 2020
URL: http://www.cherryclassics.com

Score.

Primary Genre: Solo Tenor Trombone - unaccompanied

Confessions of St. Augustine began as a work for solo horn, commissioned by Jane Aspnes for a premiere in Rome in 2000. It has been transposed down a fourth to accommodate the trombone’s traditional range, F-a-flat1. An accomplished Canadian violinist, composer Erika Raum found inspiration for Confessions in the following words from St. Augustine of Hippo: “To him who does what in him lies, God will not deny his Grace.” The subsequent composition depicts the life of St. Augustine in four scenes.

Raum begins with Augustine’s Youth and Pagan Beginnings, presenting two major musical ideas, the first of which appears in the opening measure. Circling the initial note by its half step neighbors, the introduction gives the appearance of internal struggle, potentially even the moral depravity present in Augustine’s writings.

More striking than this is the powerful motive that appears in measure 14, bearing with it a sense of imperfection exemplified by the A-flat to G relationship. This theme reappears in the third scene, St. Augustine, Bishop of Hippo, with an altered A-natural. Signifying Augustine’s enlightenment, we see this theme suddenly appear yet again after the raucous debate of the final scene, showing the triumph of civility and peace over chaos and unrest.

Confessions requires technical proficiency to clearly illustrate the story throughout this tone poem. Conflict and strife are personified in sections implementing the rhythmic disorder of quintuplets and sextuplets, while steady rhythmic figures require musical maturity to showcase the more contemplative and transformative sections of the work. In the second scene, the mystical voice is brought to life through use of a mute, and multiple tonguing is essential to truly capture the spirit of the fourth scene.

Confessions of St. Augustine is an approachable work for many, with a distinct opportunity for advanced performers to showcase ability and musicianship. Though originally composed for horn, Raum’s composition beautifully covers the expressive ranges of the trombone and will be a welcome addition to any recital program.