United Music Publishing Ltd., Sonata for Trombone and Piano.
Early Review
The Wilkinson Sonata for Trombone and Piano “is a very good piece. It sits comfortably and makes the trombone shine at its best.” – Mark Eager, Trombonist, Conductor, and Educator.
About the Sonata
A substantial contribution to the repertoire, the Sonata for Trombone and Piano is exciting and challenging to perform. The three-movement work is perhaps long overdue in its composition. Wilkinson, a former pupil of the London Philharmonic Orchestra’s principal trombonist, George Maxted♦ (1911 – 1976), was a professional freelance trombonist in London and played regularly with the Glyndebourne and Dorset opera companies, the Bournemouth Sinfonietta and Symphony Orchestras, and the John Wilbraham and Clarion brass ensembles.
Three Movements
The sonata opens with a longer movement marked Allegro energico. It maintains a vigorous dynamism through alternating duple and triple compound time signatures with thematic interplay between the two instruments, often in close canon. There are several trombone effects employed, which include glissando, harmonic lip tremolando and slurring against the slide.
The second movement is intensely expressive, dark, and reflective. It includes two rubato cadenzas for the solo trombone. The tempo indications are lento and adagio with a quaver pulse in irregular time signatures of five and seven beats.
The finale picks up the energy of the opening movement and runs with it at an even quicker tempo of Allegro molto vivace. This pace is relentless, with only momentary poco rubato in two unaccompanied sections for the soloist. Simple duple time is unchanging while a rhythmic underlay of cross-beats offsets the pulse. The movement features different articulation techniques, including flutter and double-tonguing, and wide interval leaps. The tonal range expands to include pedal notes, and there is a shift in timbre with a muted middle section. There are moments of drama and bravura, while the throwaway ending closes the piece in a whisper.
Follow and Listen
Follow the score and listen to an audio demonstration on YouTube
Performance Details
The duration is approximately twelve minutes and is playable on a straight tenor trombone without a valve (or plug). Within a couple of days of its completion, Trinity College London listed the entire work as repertoire for diploma performance examination at licentiate standard, LTCL Trombone. Furthermore, the first movement may be performed separately as part of the ATCL recital diploma.
Wilkinson’s Professional Recital Repertoire
Musical works by Wilkinson now recommended as repertoire for Trinity College London recital performance diploma examinations span thirty-seven years of compositional output and include:
Concerto for Flute and Orchestra (complete version for flute with piano accompaniment): LTCL
Legende d’Oiseau Bleu (Violin with piano accompaniment): ATCL
Citadel of Light (Violin with piano accompaniment – approved alternative repertoire): ATCL
Sonata for Cor Anglais and Piano: LTCL
Suite d’Amore (Oboe d’Amore and Piano): ATCL
Oiseaux d’Eau (Piano solo): ATCL
Five Amori Paintings (Piano solo): LTCL
Sonata for Trombone and Piano (first movement only): ATCL
Sonata for Trombone and Piano (complete): LTCL
Music for Brass
Other works by Wilkinson for brass include:
Tcherepniniana for Bass Trombone and Piano: UMP Ltd.
Seven Pieces for Trumpet and Piano: Forton Music Ltd.
The Unicorn for Trumpet and Piano: TCL Press Ltd.
Cassiopeia for Trumpet and Piano: TCL Press Ltd.
Taurus the Bull for Trumpet and Piano: TCL Press Ltd.
Two Courtly Dances for Brass Quintet (Gibbons arr. Wilkinson)
Five All at Sea for Brass Quintet
Wassail Carol for Brass Quintet: Forton Music Ltd.
Mattachins for large brass ensemble: Forton Music Ltd.
