George Walker
Concerto for Trombone and Orchestra
The Concerto for Trombone and Orchestra was composed in 1957 and received its premiere on a student concert conducted by Howard Hanson in Kilbourn Hall of the Eastman School of Music. It is one of the first works designated as a concerto for trombone soloist. The Three movements of the Concerto for Trombone and Orchestra are often characterized as being neo-classical. The content of each movement, however, is clearly contemporary as is the orchestration. The use of a recurring section (ritornello) in the first movement is a baroque technique. But, the second movement is monothematic. Each movement becomes increasingly less dissonant. The third movement, replete with syncopations, third relationships and a fugato is unlike any other classical rondo in its playfulness and good humor.