Review

Adrian Taylor
Sonata: for Bass Trombone and Piano

Seckington, Tamworth, United Kingdom
Publisher: Warwick Music Limited
Date of Publication: 2020
URL: http://www.warwickmusic.com

Primary Genre: Solo Bass/Contrabass Trombone - with piano

Composed for Jonathan Warburton and premiered at the 2017 International Trombone Festival at Redlands University, Adrian Taylor’s Sonata for Bass Trombone and Piano is an engaging eight-minute work in three movements.

The first, in 6/8 and marked allegro moderato, begins with an appealing staccato theme, peppered with enough glissandi to propel the music forward. The ensuing secondary theme provides both lyrical and rhythmic contrast with a prominent 3:2 hemiola. A development follows, effectively employing the melodic elements found in the exposition, before returning with an abbreviated recapitulation of the opening material. The second movement, in ABA’ form, opens with a soft and expressive melody. The B section that follows alternates between 6/6 and ¾ and is further set apart from the opening lyricism with driving rhythmic writing and louder dynamics. The movement closes with a return of the A theme, embellished with rhythmic and melodic variations added. The final movement, a fast rondo, is the most technically demanding due to the tempo (vivace) and the fast chromatic passages that require a clear and consistent double-tongue.

Overall, Adrian Taylor’s Sonata for Bass Trombone and Piano is a solid piece worthy of further exploration. The thematic material is approachable for performer and audience alike, and at eight-minutes it is concise without getting stale. The entire work lies comfortably within three octaves (AA to f1) and the rhythmic writing is varied without being unduly complicated. It would make a nice addition to any recital program.