Review

Antonio Vivaldi
Spring from "The Four Seasons":

Arranged by Kenneth Pearce

2 alto, 2 tenor, 1 bass trombone

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

Score and parts.

Primary Genre: Trombone Ensembles - 5 trombones

With Spring from “the Four Seasons,” Kenneth Pearce has arranged one of Antonio Vivaldi’s most recognizable works for trombone quintet. Scored for two altos, two tenors, and bass trombone, Mr. Pearce has done an excellent job capturing the essence of the original solo violin passages and dividing it between the two alto trombones. It should be noted that in doing so, the alto parts are quite demanding. Performers must have a confident upper register (the first part ascends to g² and second to e-flat²), a clear multiple tongue, and in the case of alto 1, the ability to consistently trill up to and including e-flat².

This is a challenging arrangement and the members of iTromboni should be given kudos for just how effortless they make it sound on their 2003 recording, There Goes the Neighbourhood. That recording, as well as the group’s other efforts, The Bad and the Beautiful (2009) and T’anguish (2018), are full of high-quality arrangements that are available for purchase at both itromboni.com and cherryclassics.com. Those looking for fun and challenging arrangements to perform will find a good deal to like in the iTromboni catalogue.