Review

Bozza Eugène
Aria: for Trombone and Piano

Arranged by Li Kuang


,
Publisher: Alphonse Leduc Editions Musicales
Date of Publication: 1936 / 2023
URL: http://www.cherryclassics.com

Primary Genre: Solo Tenor Trombone - with piano

Bozza (1905-1991) was a French violinist and a prolific composer. This piece, originally for alto saxophone and piano, was published by Alphonse Leduc in 1936. It’s written in a lyrical style in 3/8 meter and is marked Andante ma non troppo. This arrangement is in the original key of G minor; expression markings are in French.

Much of the solo line, covering a range from G to f-sharp1, is highly chromatic and expressive, comprised of flowing phrases of 16th notes, extending over 76 measures without any rests, and calling for good breath control. There are few large intervals, the largest being a single octave, D-flat - d-flat. On the publisher’s web-site, the piece is described as ‘appropriate for advanced intermediate performers’.

The solo part is given in bass clef throughout. The piano part is of moderate difficulty, with no chord span greater than an octave. Rehearsal numbers are given, but there are no measure numbers. Li Kuang is a Chinese Erhu player, now living in Montreal, Canada.