Review

Charles Ives
The Alcotts from Piano Sonata No.2:

Arranged by Ross Holcombe

10-part Trombone Ensemble: 8 tenor, 2 bass trombones

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

Score and parts.

Primary Genre: Trombone Ensembles - 9+ trombones (choir)

Charles Ives (1874-1954) wrote his second piano sonata (Concord) between 1909 and 1915 and published it in 1919. Its third movement ‘The Alcotts’ was begun in 1913 and completed in 1915, some of it ‘borrowing’ material from an ‘Alcott Overture’ that he wrote in 1904. Much of the original writing was unmetered and ‘for practical reasons’ the arranger has added bar-lines, but indicates that the piece should be played “extremely freely.” Altogether, ten different meter signatures are used.

The movement extensively references the four-note ‘motto theme’ from Beethoven’s 5th Symphony, which Ives recalled being played by Alcott’s daughter, Beth, on an old spinet-piano, and the American hymn ‘Bringing in the Sheaves,’ composed by George Minor (1845-1904). As development proceeds, ‘Beethoven’ becomes increasingly complex and dissonant, while ‘Minor’ remains simple, quiet and reflective, implying perhaps a parallel contrast between the cut and thrust of Ives’ business world and the tranquillity of his private life.

The arrangement is scored for eight tenor trombones and two bass trombones. Parts 1, 2 and 4 are given in tenor clef throughout, parts 3, 5, 6 and 7 use tenor and bass clefs as appropriate. The eighth part is in bass clef throughout. first, second and fifth top out at d²; third goes up to d-flat², fourth to b-flat¹, sixth to f-sharp¹ and seventh to e² with ossia e¹. Bass trombone 2 goes down to EE-flat. Straight mutes are required in parts 1, 4, 5, 6 and 7; cup mutes in 5 and 6. From measure 5 to measure 17, two different key signatures are used simultaneously, two flats in the upper seven parts, and four flats in the lower three. The movement ends pianissimo with the lower four parts playing a C major chord.

As a composer and arranger for brass, Ross Holcombe’s music has been commissioned and performed by brass ensembles and trombone choirs throughout the United States. He is currently on the faculties of Hillsborough Community College and Florida Southern College in Tampa. He contributes extensive and insightful notes in this arrangement, adding that ‘if the ensemble performing this piece prefers to rebar any passages to achieve a different phrase structure, they should feel free to do so.’ The composer would totally approve.