Ancient Memory

Ying-Chen Kao uses extended notation and technique spans glissandi, slide vibrato, grace notes, pitch bending, and use of a decrescendo with a small circle to portray her equivalence of a niente, conveying a nuanced understanding of the trombone’s sound palette while exploring some non-standard notation… Although the tenor trombone edition has received more attention, this bass trombone version would make for an excellent intermediate-level contemporary solo piece for advanced high school or early-level university tenor and bass trombone students alike… Given the accessibility of this bass trombone version, I look forward to other recordings being made and disseminated.

The notation is beautifully printed, fairly straightforward, with numerous dynamic indications and articulations. This is good music that assigns the trombone a role that has been little explored but works beautifully in this context. A brilliant high school level performer or an advanced undergraduate level player with good, musical imagination, should be able to cope with its technical requirements.