Wagner for 5 Bones

Originally the openings piece "Wagner for Bass Bones" from Ben van Dijk's successful CD "First Song", is here re-arranged for a setting of 3 tenor-trombones, 1 bass trombone and a contrabass trombone.

This arrangement includes some of the most impressive musical moments in Wagner's "Ring des Nibelungen".
Wotan's Abschied, Siefried Motif, Der Ritt der Walkuren, Vertrags Motif, Walhall Motif, Todesklage Motif, Donner Motif and the Regenbogen Motif are melted together into a beautiful 6 minutes trombone compilation!

All tenor trombones may be played on bass (like Ben performed himself on the "First Song" recording) and the contra may be played on bass trombone or tuba. The arrangement also works very well with part-doubling so you have a 10 trombone setting.

This is an absolute public pleaser!

"First Song" CD reviews in relation to this arrangement

ITA JOURNAL July 2004

The opening number, Wagner for Bass Bones, present an intriguing introduction to this recording. Van Dijk has arranged significant trombone excerpts from Wagner's "Ring des Nibelungen" for multiple bass trombones, in which he performs all the parts. The blend and balance is remarkable, giving the impression that the performance comes from the concert hall rather than the recording studio.

William B. Mathis,
Bowling Green State University

 

BTS Magazine July 2004

Ben van Dijk has made another superb solo CD after the great success of Nana his premier disc. It opens with Wagner for |Bass Bones a medley of themes from the Ring - the marvelous sound of trombones playing marvelous music, and there is a great moment when Ben's Thein contrabass descends to a magnificent pedal E that is guaranteed to make you rewind a listen again.

Steven Saunders,
bass trombone BBC Philharmonic

 

OTJ July 2004

Music from Wagner's Ring des Nibelungen opens the CD. Scored for tenor, bass and contrabass trombone, all parts are performed and overdubbed by van Dijk. Often when one performer overdubs many tracks, the resulting tone quality suffers along with intonation. Fortunately that is not the case with Wagner for Bass Bones. From the first chorale, depth and sonority draw the listener in. The sound of the Thein contrabass provides a rich bottom voice to the choir. If there is one shortcoming with this selection, it is that van Dijk should have recorded the whole Ring Cycle--one can never get enough Wagner or bass bone!

Don Schaefer is originally from Vancouver, Canada. He joined the music faculty of the University of Mississippi in 2000.