Music for Midi Trombone

This CD collects nine works written by Rodney Oakes between 1991 and 2000. Performed by the composer, they are pieces for MIDI trombone (except for "New Cracow," for synthesizer only). The trombone triggers synthesizers and the resulting sound is of a trombone backed by electronics. On "Soliloquy," trombone and alp horn solo over foggy synthesizer landscapes to good effect, recalling at times some of J.A. Deane's work (on Solo Dino), although less dense. The programmatic piece "Erotic Rhapsody" announced some kind of music orgy but the piece never really gets off the ground, although the mocking quote from "Amazing Grace" at the end works its charm. Multiple trombones echo in "Impromptu," a very convincing piece, dreamy, full-bodied, and putting synthesizer to good use. But the best moment remains "Threnody for the Victims of My Lai," a moving number with dark synthesizer flooring and emotional jazzy trombone improvisations. Music for MIDI Trombone is somewhere at the crossroads of contemporary classical, computer music, and new jazz. This effort is much stronger than Oakes' previous Innova title Og O Go. ~ François Couture, Rovi