Review

Henry Purcell
Sonata:

Arranged by Jeremy Niles Kempton

Bass trombone or tuba and piano

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Publisher: Cherry Classics Music
Date of Publication: 2016
URL: http://www.cherryclassics.com

Grade 3. Score and solo part.

Primary Genre: Solo Bass/Contrabass Trombone - with piano

Purcell’s Sonata for trumpet was likely written near the end of his life, and as such shares more characteristics with the Baroque concerto than with traditional sonatas. The work is arranged in three movements alternating fast-slow-fast and features a firm bass with florid melody. Kempton’s arrangement moves the key, originally D major, down a minor sixth settling the large amount of playing into the middle part of the bass clef staff. Range is modest, F-b-flat, with a performance of all three short movements totaling just under five minutes. Those five minutes, however, contain quite a few wonderful musical opportunities for the growing bass trombonist.

The first movement is marked Pomposo and has a distinctly trumpet character. The heraldry and appoggiatura figures make this movement an easy practical exercise for students working on the beginning studies in the Arban Complete Method for Trombone. An effective performance of this movement also requires the performer to make the most of the few dynamic contrasts that exist. The second movement is marked Adagio and although technically straight forward it will challenge younger players musically. The sheer amount of time spent on each note in this movement demands musical nuance and will push a growing trombonist to think artistically. The last movement marked Presto is written in 3/8 meter and utilizes a modest range, requiring a fleet and sure slide technique. There is an imitative structure to the music and a plethora of opportunities for interplay between pianist and bass trombonist.

Sonata is suitable for a college freshman level bass trombonist to develop an understanding of style as well as a sensitivity to collaborative performance. The piece can be learned in a short time.