Sonata for Horn and Piano, and: Sonata for Trombone and Piano, and: Sonata for Trumpet and Piano (review)

Born in 1954 in Cleveland, Ohio, composer-pianist Eric Ewazen studied at the Eastman School of Music (B.M. 1976), the Tanglewood Music Festival, and the Juilliard School (D.M.A. 1980) under several composers including Samuel Adler, Milton Babbitt, Gunther Schuller, and Joseph Schwantner. Since 1980, he has been a member of the Juilliard School faculty (for more on the composer, including many recorded examples of his music mentioned and discussed in this review, see Ewazen's Web site at http://www.ericewazen .com/newsite/, and more recent information and a list of works at the Stanton Management Web site at http://www.stantonmgt.com/Composers/ewazen-new.htm [and an earlier list at http://www.stantonmgt.com/Composers/ewazen.htm], plus Michael Ethen's September 2004 "Interview with Eric Ewazen," ComposersOnline.org 7 [November 2004], http://www.composersonline.org/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=49 [all accessed 24 November 2004]).

Ewazen is currently one of the most performed living composers of music for brass instruments. His works are well-received, and he is often commissioned by important individual brass players, ensembles, and organizations (such as the New York Brass Quintet and the International Trumpet Guild) to compose pieces for them. The wealth of his music for brass is evident from a list of these compositions, which in addition to the three sonatas here under review (and excluding arrangements of other works) include: other pieces for various brass instruments and piano (Prayer and Praise [2002] and Ballade for a Ceremony: A Marriage Ballade [1999] for trumpet and piano); small ensembles of brass instruments (A Philharmonic Fanfare for trumpet, horn, and trombone [1997]; and Dagon II for bass trombone and tape [1980]); works for brass quintet (Grand Valley Fanfare [2001], Frost Fire [1990], Colchester Fantasy [1987], and Kronos for brass quintet and timpani[1979]); pieces for various brass choirs (High Desert Octet for eight horns [2002], Sonoran Desert Harmonies for eight trumpets [2002],Empire Fanfare for trombone octet [2002], Great Lakes Octet for trombone choir [2002], Legend of the Sleeping Bear for eight horns [2001], A Concert Fanfare for six trumpets [2000], Prelude and Fugue for trumpet choir [2000], Myths and Legends for trombone quartet [2000], Posaunenstadt for twelve trombones [2000], Concertino for bass trombone and trombone choir [1999], Fantasy and Double Fugue for trombone choir[1997],AWesternFanfare [1997],Grand Canyon Octet for eight horns [1996; also for eight trombones], Concertino for bass trombone and trombone choir [1996], Fantasia for seven trumpets [1991], Symphony in Brass [1991], and Kwaiden: A Trombone Quartet [pub. 1977]); various chamber works with brass instruments (Art of the City for clarinet, horn, and string quartet [2000]; Mandala for flute, clarinet, trumpet, violin, and cello [1999]; Ballade, Pastorale and Dance for horn, flute, and piano [1993; the second movement later arranged to form the Pastorale for trumpet, tenor or bass trombone, and piano, 1996]; Trio for trumpet, violin, and piano [1992]; Quintet for trumpet and strings [1990; reworked in 1998 to become the Concerto for trumpet and string orchestra]; Trio for bassoon, horn, and piano [1983]; and Devil Septet for four tubas, piano, and two percussion [pub. 1976]); and works for brass and orchestra (Danzante for trumpet and wind ensemble [2004], Concerto for euphonium and orchestra [2003], Rhapsody for bass trombone and string orchestra [1997], and Shadowcatcher: A Concerto for Brass Quintet and Orchestra [1996; also for brass and wind ensemble]).

Ewazen's three works for brass instruments reviewed here—his...