CD: Great Trombone Concertos

Christopher Thomas reviews Jacques Mauger’s re-released Great Trombone Concertos – an iconic disc amongst trombonists.

This fourth CD devised by Jacques Mauger has a suave Gallic elegance that characterises the soloists’ immensely refined performances of this collection of four concertos for the trombone, all despatched with a potent combination of panache and style.

Launy Grondahl's appealing Concerto of 1924 is amongst the better-known of the four concertos and is here given a reading of fresh, invigorating elan, from the robust solidity of the opening gesture and the beautifully intoned colours and subtle contrasts of the central movement (Mauger is a master of tone and gesture), to the the fine articulation in the appealing melodic finale.

In two relatively short movements, Frank Martin's Ballade for Trombone and Orchestra is a gem of a piece, providing the perfect vehicle for Mauger's sensitive lyricism in the brief opening Largamente before the playful, jazz rhythms of the ensuing Allegro Giusto allow the soloist to demonstrate a more extrovert side.

Since Jacques Mauger's 'rediscovery' of Henri Tomasi's Concerto in 1999, he has become a leading advocate of the work. In four substantial movements, the language is unmistakably French in its allusions to Milhaud and possibly to Poulenc, whilst being embeded with a personal character honed with artistry by the soloist.

That leaves the best-known of all the concertos in Ferdinand David's pioneering work of 1837. Mauger's performance is a model of nuance; it is full-toned in all registers, and posesses an elegant awareness and understanding of the classicism of the music.

With excellent accompaniment from the Orchestre Symphonique Francais, directed by Laurent Petitgirard, this is a fascinating exploration of four contrasting and endlessly appealing concertos that comes as much highly recommended for the sheer quality of the music, as it does for Jacques Mauger's performances.

Programme: 5/5
Performance: 5/5
Recording: 4/5
Presentation: 4/5

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