Trombone World Premiere Recordings!

Hailing from a brass background in the North of England, renowned British composer Benjamin Ellin has long been a champion of writing for trombone. 

His critically acclaimed tenor and bass trombone concerti were premiered in 2012 by Joseph Alessi (principal trombone, NY Phil) and 2021 by Christian Jones (Orchestra of Opera North) respectively, but have never been professionally recorded.

Both dedicatees would love the opportunity to make an album centred around these works, to bring both the trombone and Ellin's remarkable music to the widest possible audience; a studio recording brings with it the potential for radio broadcasts both in the UK and abroad. The world premiere of a trombone trio with orchestra, also featuring Opera North principal trombonist Blair Sinclair, is planned to complete the disc.

This November, the Orchestra of Opera North has provisionally set aside three days of scheduled time in the brand new Mantle Music studio, supporting our project to the tune of almost £40,000 (roughly $48,000).

For this reason, we are working to raise funds for all the remaining costs from elsewhere, including sponsors, donors and crowdfunding. 

Having received backing for other elements such as travel, this crowdfunding drive must raise at least £7,000 for the actual costs of recording, producing and distributing downloads and CDs via NAXOS/Select.

Any funds raised in excess of this sum will be used to expand the scope of the remainder of the album: for example, adding other short trombone works which require more of the recording engineers' time.

This campaign will also demonstrate the level of wider public interest to funding bodies unused to trombone repertoire, strengthening our case to back this unique and unprecedented project. 

For this reason, we have selected the option to keep the funds pledged, as a means to guarantee tangible support at the earliest possible stage: contracts need to be signed by the end of August, at which point my team and I will be taking on financial responsibility for the album. 

Every penny donated will be accounted for and spent on music making.

The trombone, and especially bass trombone, are declining as an instrument choice in the UK, as evidenced by the falling numbers auditioning for national ensembles and music colleges each year*.

We believe our project is high-profile and high-quality enough to help reverse this trend, by inspiring and showcase the trombone as a solo instrument worthy of recognition.

Thank you for reading this and do not hesitate to contact me directly via [email protected] if you have any questions.

Garry Walker, Opera North Music Director:

I really do think that Benjamin Ellin’s Bass Trombone concerto should be viewed as a major new work. The way that the bass trombone sound is integrated and supported by the orchestra is very skilfully done; indeed, for me, reminiscent of the way that Ravel created the soundscape to surround the Concerto for the Left Hand.

The composer and soloist collaborated throughout the creative process which paid huge dividends. The clever use of differing sonorities on the trombone through the use of mutes is sympathetically mirrored in the orchestra.

The public was immediately taken with the work, which has an immediacy and clarity. Structurally the work can be easily grasped, although it has a sparkling originality throughout, largely due to being very well orchestrated. 

Antony Hermus, Opera North Principal Guest Conductor:

A very moving and exciting new concerto, one of the very few for bass trombone. Perfectly written for both orchestra and soloist, and with cheering enthusiasm received by the audience!

*I spent yesterday (26th July) cleaning and prepping six of eleven beginner trombones kindly donated from the local music service, destined for training brass bands in the area, one of which is ran by my wife and I. We need to support low brass playing from grassroots level upwards to ensure our instruments survive.