Notes and Editorial Reviews
MUSIC FOR BASS TROMBONE AND WIND BAND
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Yves Bauer (b tbn); Claude Kesmaecker, cond; Musique de l’Air Wind Band
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NAXOS 8.570544 (69:53)
NAULAIS
Etoile des profondeurs.
LYS
Vertiges.
EWAZEN
Bass Trombone Concerto.
STECKAR
Deux marches d’écart
With three of the
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works contained in this program written especially for him, Yves Bauer, bass trombonist of the Lille National Orchestra, has been a catalyst for expanding the hitherto limited solo opportunities for his instrument. One’s response to this release will depend on expectation. Those looking for works that exploit the bass trombone’s Wagnerian weightiness or for works of challenging modernity may wish to move on. These four works draw more on the bass trombone’s jazz and pop heritage, and a couple of the works have a decidedly big band quality to them. Fans of jazz or so-called light classics may well find something of interest here.
Etoile des profondeurs
(“Star of the Deep”), the title and concerto form notwithstanding, is basically pop music—pleasantly flashy in the style of a 1970s musical-comedy score. Given Jérôme Naulais’s 30 years as a trombonist in the Ensemble Intercontemporain, I really expected something a little edgier. It is likable enough and well constructed, but certainly not, as the title implies, deep. The rather rigorous third movement cadenza sounds noticeably out of place in this context.
From its portentous beginning, Marc Lys’s
Vertiges
(“Dizziness”), a concerto in the form of a theme and variations, is considerably more rewarding. Combining modern harmonies with Latin dance, this is indeed a dizzying array of styles and rhythms: a 23-minute
tour de force
for the soloist, with delicious solo opportunities for the members of the band as well, and a real workout for the percussion. Even the bass clarinet gets a solo turn in the Samba finale.
The principal theme of the first movement of Eric Ewazen’s Bass Trombone Concerto may be just a bit too facile, redolent of a film score from some B-grade Western, but there is nothing else superficial about this impressively well-crafted work. Throughout, Ewazen showcases the easily overlooked lyrical capabilities of the bass trombone. The singing quality of the Andante espressivo movement is especially moving. The Stravinskian opening to the final movement soon gives way to music almost Coplandesque, and if the spirited central section of this movement again suggests the Western, it doesn’t detract. The cadenza is impressive, and impressively played. While the movement may lack the promised “thundering rhythms,” it certainly delivers on the energy. Now if I could just get that darn theme out of my head . . .
Marc Steckar helps with some compelling jazz.
Deux marches d’écart
(“Two Steps Away”) sounds like a Stan Kenton chart and is easily the most progressive and, to me, the most interesting work on the CD. Quirky and sassy, one never knows what to expect, especially once Steckar throws in those first movement quotes from
Yankee Doodle
and Liszt’s
Second Hungarian Rhapsody
. The darker turn of the central movement and the propulsive third exploit all aspects of the bass trombone’s interpretive range while being part of one of the most enjoyable big band pieces I’ve heard in years.
Throughout, virtuoso Yves Bauer negotiates every challenge with élan, singing seductively with a velvet tone and dispatching tricky rhythms with apparent ease. The French Air Force Band and its conductor are equally fine: a really impressive jazz ensemble with excellent soloists. Expectations adjusted, this is a very satisfying release.
FANFARE: Ronald E. Grames
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Works on This Recording
1.
Etoile des profondeurs by Jérôme Naulais
Performer:
Yves Bauer (Bass Trombone)
Conductor:
Claude Kesmaecker
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Musique de L'Air Wind Ensemble
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1999; France
2.
Vertiges by Marc Lys
Performer:
Yves Bauer (Bass Trombone)
Conductor:
Claude Kesmaecker
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Musique de L'Air Wind Ensemble
Period: 20th Century
Written: 2000; France
3.
Concerto for Bass Trombone by Eric Ewazen
Performer:
Yves Bauer (Bass Trombone)
Conductor:
Claude Kesmaecker
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Musique de L'Air Wind Ensemble
Period: 20th Century
Written: by 1997; USA
4.
Deux marches d'écart by Marc Steckar
Performer:
Yves Bauer (Bass Trombone)
Conductor:
Claude Kesmaecker
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Musique de L'Air Wind Ensemble
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1999
Sound Samples
Etoile des Profondeurs (arr. M. Lys for bass trombone and wind band): I. Allegro
Etoile des Profondeurs (arr. M. Lys for bass trombone and wind band): II. Ballade
Etoile des Profondeurs (arr. M. Lys for bass trombone and wind band): III. Final: Allegro
Vertiges: I. Possession 1
Vertiges: V. Incantatoire, sensuel et lyrique
Vertiges: VI. Possession 2
Vertiges: VIII. Bossa groove
Bass Trombone Concerto: I. Andante con moto - Allegro vivace
Bass Trombone Concerto: II. Andante expressivo
Bass Trombone Concerto: III. Allegro ritmico
Deux Marches d'Ecart: I. -
Deux Marches d'Ecart: II. -
Deux Marches d'Ecart: III. -
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