Audio Review: Matthew Gee’s Amazing Sliding Circus

Christopher Glynn, Piano

Clowns.

Some people are okay with them while others shrivel in fear with the thought of them. The phrase “clowning around” can be a pretty common description for a teen-aged brass player – I mean we do sit in the last row…

While the idea of a clown at a circus involves humor and comedic relief, these entertainers also can invoke a feeling of sadness and loneliness. With the task of creating all of these different emotions, Matthew Gee, Principal Trombone of the Royal Philharmonic, has presented a recording portraying these emotions through they ear of attending a circus.

Gee begins with an introduction piece just as the Circus master would announce the first act of the show. Immediately, the next track, Karl King’s The Melody Shop, features a trombone quartet (all parts by Gee) that shows off Gee’s effortless (and what seems, unlimited) range through this barnstormer of a piece. Quickly, Gee then goes into an arrangement of the familiar chamber work, The Pulcinella Suite. A work composed by Igor Stravinsky during his neo-classical phase, Gee brings a fresh and delightful feel to this arrangement.

After a quick interlude, Gee then brings to the stage the album’s most familiar work for trombone – Sequenza V by Luciano Berio. Dedicated to Adrien Wettach, also known as “Grock” the last of the great clowns, Gee gives a mesmerizing rendition that could give the indication that he may have been dressed in the full attire – as a clown – for this track. (….was he?)

After the spontaneity of the Berio, Gee carefully plans for the next selection to be Send in the Clowns by Stephen Sondheim – a beautiful, lyrical balance to this high energy album.

Just when you think enough pieces have been brought to the “circus,” Gee presents Fischietto è morto, a new work composed by Gary Carpenter. Featuring friends from the Royal Philharmonic, this 15-minute work is an excellent piece of intensified emotion with up-and-down drama, showcasing upbeatness immediately leading to sadness.

With other tracks featuring similar music based around the circus, so much delight is featured on this album. With stellar music, an appropriately-fitting cover design and clever writing of program notes, Matthew Gee presents a complete package of trombone music. With this being his second solo album, one hopes that many more are to come from this creative trombonist. This is easily one of the most refreshing albums I have heard in a while. Each track flows perfectly to the next without missing a beat and never losing endurance.

Favorite Track: Send In The Clowns. This simplest of melodies is absolutely breathtaking, especially when Gee performs in the higher octave.

Track Listing:
OVERTURE & INTRODUCTION
A Most Grand and Marvellous Spectacle – Simon Vincent
The Melody Shop – Karl King arranged by Matthew Knight

ACT I – PULCINELLA
Pulcinella – Igor Stravinsky arr. Daniel-Ben Pienaar
Sinfonia – Ouverture
Serenata
Scherzino
Tarantella
Toccata
Gavotta con due variazioni
Vivo
Minuetto-Finale

INTERVAL
Mrs. Nisbett’s Particular Lament – Simon Vincent

ACT II – GROCK, DESIRÉE & FISCHIETTO
Sequenza V – Luciano Berio
Send in the Clowns – Stephen Sondheim arranged by Matthew Knight
Fischietto è morto – composed and conducted by Gary Carpenter

ACT III – KEELEY & CANIO
Circus Games – composed and conducted by Rob Keeley
Pagliacci – Ruggero Leoncavallo arranged and conducted by Matthew Knight
Intermezzo
Vesti la giubba

FINALE – COULROBONIA
The Triumphal Coulrobonia Simon Vincent

Click here to purchase the album (Amazon) or here (iTunes)