Solo Title: Sonata
Composer and Arranger: Eric Ewazen (b. 1954)
Publisher Code: Southern Music Company, 3776236
Date Published: 1998
Clef: Bass and Tenor
Purchase Link: Sheet Music Plus
Recording: Joseph Alessi, New York Legends, Cala Records
While Eric Ewazen’s Sonata for Trombone was written in 1998, this work has quickly arrived as standard in the trombone repertoire. From the opening notes in the first movement, the Sonata takes the listener on a journey that showcases both a high and low range while a moving melodic line, marked with technical and lyrical style. The second movement offers a dirge-like moment in time allowing the soloist to really dig deep through emotive sound, especially in the second half of the movement. As the third movement returns to a quick, triumphant pace, endurance can easily be an issue for the soloist as the movement has a mixture of acrobatic intervals and lyrical interludes. Each movement could stand on its own in a performance with the entire work showcasing the many characteristics of the trombone.
| Movements and Tempo Markings | Duration | |||||||
| I. Allegro Maestoso (q=127) | 7' | |||||||
| II. Adagio (q=65) | 7' | |||||||
| III. Allegro Giocoso (q=144) | 6' | |||||||
| Organization’s Class and Grade Levels | FMEA | ISSMA | ITA | NYSSMA | OMEA | PMEA | UIL | |
| (What is This?) | 6 [1] | Yes [2] | 5 | 6 | A [3] | NL | 1 [4] | |
| Grading Points Scale | Level | Total Points | Range | Rhythm | Tempo | Duration | Bonus | |
| (What is This?) | - | - | D2 to C5 | 32nd | 112 bpm | 20' | See Footnote [5] | |
| 5 (5.4) | 27 | 2.5 | 5.5 | 4 | 10 (max) | 5 | ||
- FMEA requires any one movement.
- ISSMA requires movement 1.
- OMEA requires movement 1 or 3.
- UIL specifies movements 1 and 2 OR 2 and 3.
- F-attachment (1), Multiple Tonguing (1), Clef Changes (1), Meter Changes (1), Syncopation (1)