As a listener, it’s always intriguing to hear a new work, more so when it features an instrument that rarely solos on stage: the trombone.
This protracted and noble member of the brass family sits at the back of the orchestra, usually hidden behind a thicket of other players. Its resonance – ranging from a light rasp to a blast – helps blend the colors of the orchestra and deepens the overall palette.
But extended trombone solos, much less full concertos, are rare, which makes this latest Hough Family Foundation Masterworks program April 10-12 stand out. On tap is the American premiere of Tribones (Concerto for Three Trombones), by the French composer and instrumentalist Thierry Caens. The 30-minute work was a co-commission by TFO and the French Orchestre National du Capitole de Toulouse.
Performers include TFO’s Principal Trombone Joël Vaïsse, Associate Principal Trombone Ross Holcombe, and guest artist Amanda Stewart, Associate Principal Trombonist of the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra. In 2021, Vaïsse introduced TFO audiences to an earlier work by Caens called Contrasts, and he embraced the international partnership of his latest opus.
“The Toulouse orchestra ask me if any collaboration between Toulouse and The Florida Orchestra would be possible, the answer was yes,’’ Vaïsse said. “That’s how Tribones was born, through both orchestras. We did the world premiere last year in Toulouse and the audience loved it, and I can’t wait to play it again with Amanda and Ross.’’
For all the excitement, teeing up a new work involves a certain amount of risk, Holcombe said.
“I hope no one in the audience will be scared to see a ‘premiere’ on the program,’’ he said of the new piece. “Sometimes you don’t know what you’re going to get, which can be daunting, but Thierry’s writing is very accessible, tonal and fun.’’
The piece resonates with soaring melodies, dance rhythms, epic climaxes and an unexpected ending, Holcombe added: “Thierry strikes a great balance between his music sounding modern and fresh, but also using sounds that people are familiar with. It’s structured almost like a symphony.’’
Caens scored his “sound painting’’ in four movements: prelude, romance, jota and finale. The opening presents a simple melody from which all the movements are built; the second section offers a gentle tune of expressive depth; the third part mimics a lively Spanish folk dance that serves as the traditional scherzo; and the work concludes with dazzling energy and virtuosic play among the four brass players who all the while interact with the orchestra. Throughout, the music pushes the trombone to its limit and proves what the instrument can really do.
“Trombones are known as the low brass, but he writes incredibly high notes for each soloist, showing off the range,’’ Holcombe said. “The music shows how different musical tastes, colors and ideas can be unique and individual, and because Joel and Amanda and I are all very different players, I hope you’ll hear our individual personalities come through.’’
In another first in this program, TFO will celebrate the 100th anniversary Ferde Grofé’s Mississippi Suite, which premiered in 1926. Alan Grofé, the composer’s grandson who lives in Lakeland, plans to attend the concerts and said this work − along with the more popular Grand Canyon Suite − have made an indelible mark on the country’s musical landscape.
“My grandfather had such a great vision of physical America,’’ he said. “He took our rich physical grandeur and turned it into a vivid orchestral sound. Mississippi Suite is a symphonic tone poem that paints a musical picture of a river journey, blending light classical music with early jazz, blues and ragtime. I think it totally honors early jazz that emanated from New Orleans that was a strong influence on him.’’
The program also includes Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7.
Beethoven Symphony No. 7
Featuring Tribones Trombone Concerto
April 10-12
Tickets: FloridaOrchestra.org
Kurt Loft is a journalist and music critic who has written for various newspapers, magazines and arts groups for more than 40 years. A member of the Music Critics Association of North America, he lives in St. Petersburg.
