PROCLAMATION

Douglas Yeo

Review by Anthony Parsons, BBC Symphony Orchestra

New Trombone CollectiveWhatever problems a bass trombonist may have in becoming a fine player, finding out how the instrument should be played and how it should sound is now dead easy - you buy this CD. BTS member Dr. Roger Challoner Green is behind the release of this recording by his great friend Doug Yeo; he commissioned both original compositions and arrangements for bass trombone and band, in order to present the instrument as a solo voice that can compare with any other. And the final results of this groundbreaking Anglo-American venture are absolutely convincing.

Since 1985, Doug Yeo has been a member of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, which he joined after studying with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra's renowned bass trombonist Edward Kleinhammer. So much for the pedigree; what about the sound?

Imagine slipping on the overcoat you could only afford if you won the Lottery - the warm glow, the texture, the fit, the sheer greedy pleasure - and you're getting somewhere near it. Making a sound to fall in love with should be the objective of every musician, and this performer positively parades the super-luscious potential of his chosen instrument. You can even sense the recording engineers having a lovely time caring for it at the mixing desk.

The programme is an easy-listening compilation that contains enjoyable new pieces for others to pounce on and add to their own repertoire, by some of the best known and trusted writers in the genre - a clever bit of planning that has paid off handsomely. There's solemnity, fun, jazz, Latin, ballad-playing - you'd swear the guy had three lungs, sometimes - and throughout the whole, an all-encompassing technique at the service of top-class musicianship.

Gordon Langford's piece Proclamation is a substantial seven-minute work that provides the title for the CD, and is his first work for the bass trombone. It opens with an unaccompanied cadenza which gives you a foretaste of all the things I've described. Gordon's gift for writing appropriate, approachable solos has served him well once again - and offers every reason for bands to feature this new aspect of brass playing in future concerts. Stephen Bulla's Rhapsody is based on the old Gospel song In The Sweet Bye and Bye; a simple little tune that generates a set of fancy variations. Bill Geldard's arrangements for brass band are too well known to need any comment, but for all bass trombonist who have ever fancied a go at the George Roberts style (i.e., all the ones I've ever met) here's another player who can do it; and Roger will happily sell you a set of parts, so you can stick your own neck out. The unaccompanied Dona Nobis Pacem variations are models of rhythmic control, flexibility and intonation - basic technique turned to sheer mastery. David Uber's Skylines - portraits of Manhattan, Chicago and Boston, three important cities in Doug's musical life - were premiered in 1992 at the New York Brass Conference. The cornet solo Share My Yoke transposes beautifully for bass trombone, and Doug is joined by his orchestral colleague Ronald Barron in a tenor/bass duet, Conversation, that explores friendliness and aggravation in a nine-minute work of considerable substance. Six British trombonists (Roger among them) join Doug for Tommy Pedersen's Blue Topaz and the Latin element crops up in Goff Richards' Rainy Day in Rio Lawrence Wolfe's Tryptich is another delightful outing for soloist and band - and by the way, Patricia Yeo, Black Dyke and James Watson are brilliant accompanists throughout. Get your order in for this historic CD - while stocks last!

CD Info:
Doyen Solo Series CD No. DOY CD 055

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