Sonata for Trombone and Piano - by W. Daniel Landes

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Download some sample pages of the score.
Listen to some excerpts.
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The Sonata for Trombone and Piano was a featured work at the 2001 International Trombone Association Festival in Nashville, TN where it was performed by Lawrence Borden (principal trombonist for the Nashville Symphony) and Polly Brecht (Assistant Professor of Piano at Middle Tennessee State University).

The next scheduled performance of the work will be:

Turner Recital Hall, Blair School of Music, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN.

Wednesday evening, March 31, 8:00 p.m.

Trombonist: Lawrence Borden
Pianist: Melissa Rose

The Sonata is a large three-movement work cast in a more-or-less tonal style. Both trombone and piano parts are of equal proportions so this is definitely not a Trombone solo with piano accompaniment. The trombone part is characterized by long, lyrical lines interrupted occasionally by virtuoso passage work. The overall tessitura of the 1st movement is high (G2-E5), the 2nd movement is medium (E2-G#4), and the last movement is low (E2-B4). The piano part is idiomatic but demanding. The overall character of the music might be described as 'neoclassical.' Nevertheless, there is a definite (but subtle) influence of jazz and rock styles. The underlying compositional technique is motivic development and contrapuntal lines. Some have described the piece as sounding like Hindemith, Prokofiev, Shostakovich, Muczynski... with a little Frank Zappa and Gentle Giant lurking here and there giving a decidedly modern or contemporary flavor (think classical French cuisine with some Louisiana HOT SAUCE sprinkled over the top -- BAM!).

The first and third movements require a virtuoso technique for both trombonist and pianist. The second movement is slow and melodic and would be an ideal piece for any High School or College student trombonist.

Download some sample pages of the score (PDF format)

Listen to some sound file excerpts (MP3):

1st movement, main theme
1st movement, transition theme
1st movement, 2nd theme
1st movement, development
1st movement, ending

2nd movement, main theme (coming soon)
2nd movement, secondary themes (coming soon)

3rd movement, main theme (coming soon)
3rd movement, secondary themes (coming soon)

Sonata for Trombone and Piano -- Full Score (piano part along with reduced trombone part) and Trombone PART: $17.50

Sonata for Trombone and Piano -- CD recording of a performance available soon.

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Performances:

Upcoming Performances: 8:00 p.m., March 31, 2004, Turner Recital Hall, The Blair School of Music, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN. Lawrence Borden, trombonist; Melissa Rose, pianist.

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Premier performance: International Trombone Association Festival, Belmont University, Nashville, TN June 16, 2000. Lawrence Borden, trombonist; Polly Brecht, pianist.

Catholic University, Washington, DC, Oct. 31, 2001. Tom Gibson, trombonist.

Georgia State University, January 16, 2002. Tom Gibson, trombonist.