Review


Charles Ives
Variations on "America":

Arranged by Charles Vernon

Trombone quintet: five trombones: 4 tenor, one bass trombone

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Publisher: Cherry Classics Music
Date of Publication: 2022
URL: http://www.cherryclassics.com

Score and parts.

Primary Genre: Trombone Ensembles - 5 trombones

This is an exciting arrangement, made by Charles Vernon of the Chicago Symphony. The arrangement sounds like the organ original or the orchestral arrangement by William Schuman, and all to be played on trombones! There are some considerations to be taken into account in describing the arrangement and its playability: it is quite challenging! I have some limited experience with Mr. Vernon’s arrangements; he does not hold back on what he expects of the players of his arrangements.

Vernon has chosen his forces carefully, and they work. Due to the need for high range playing, the usual quartet has been expanded into a quintet with the addition of the alto trombone on the top part. The arrangement begins with the full statement of Ives’ introduction, which, after 32 bars of pyrotechnics, continues with the statement of the hymn in four parts. Variation 1 adds to the four parts a florid alto part, including lip trills and running 32nd notes. Variation 2 is slower and highly chromatic. Variation 3 speeds up and goes into 6/8 meter, with another fast-moving alto part: the overall feeling here is a sort of dance. Variation 4 carries the title of Polonaise and features the alto part on the melody in the minor mode. This variation is followed by four bars of interlude, leading to Variation 5, Allegro, featuring the bass trombone in a fast obbligato part with many sixteenth notes in the low register. This settles down somewhat with the fourth and fifth parts taking on the action. Another variation on the variation brings the whole ensemble into the act with offbeat sixteenth notes. Finally we have a repeat of the melody in staccato harmony over the bass trombone declaiming the bass line in 16ths, ending with the final cadence. Any ensemble interested in learning this piece will find their skills utilized to the utmost. There is little provision in the score for tempo flexibility in the 32nd note sequences in the alto part. Breathing can possibly present challenges in some of the variations, requiring much study and thoughtful practice, both solo and ensemble passages. But – the performance will repay the effort of learning the piece!

Reviewer: Philip Brink
Review Published June 24, 2023