Ben van Dijk has been the renowned bass trombonist of the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra for 15 years, following a 23 year stint with the Netherlands Radio Philharmonic Orchestra.  

His four recordings of solo and ensemble works has gained him a legion of admirers around the world - won over by his startlingly smooth tone and lyrical playing, which is built on an equally remarkable technique.

Latest release

Here, the Amsterdam Staff Band joins him on his latest solo release, with all the music written or arranged by Belgian composer Steven Verhelst.

The title work, ‘World Concerto’, is not a musical travelogue, but rather a depiction of how the composer views the world around him: Taking a considered appreciation of the emergence of life, the beauty of creation and reflection on human nature.  

Into the abyss

From the outset the composer makes excellent use of the tonal palette, with effective tuned percussion allowing the soloist to display a lightness of touch, even in passages moving rapidly into the abyss. 

The agility displayed is remarkable - something which is enhanced by the sustained writing of the ‘Andante’, punctuated by brisk neatly tucked in runs, and a sprightly ‘Allegretto’ which draws the various themes together.

Infused spirit

‘Shenandoah’ and ‘Na Sopkah Manchurii’ are arranged in fairly straightforward settings; the latter, a gently lilting waltz which retains its distinctive Russian ambience.

Piazzolla’s tango infused spirit of Argentina is growing in popularity, and the medley included here allows the soloist to showcase his versatility as well stamina, particularly in the ostinato quavers of ‘Libertango’.  

Meanwhile, the calmer tones of ‘Oblivion’, with its slowly shifting chorale-like backing brings fine sustained playing, before the more energetic ‘Escuela’ includes some lively interchanges between soloist and band that have a sultry snap of passion. 

Eyebrows

Of all the music, the arrangements of ‘O Boundless Salvation’ and Stainer’s ‘God so Loved the World’ may cause a few raised eyebrows - although in subtle appreciation rather than arched apprehension. 

The former is given a gentle Latin American twist: It shouldn’t work, you think, but this listener found it strangely effective, whilst the latter receives a warm, relaxed backing, occasionally re-harmonised but leaving the melody more or less unaltered. Both leave a lasting impression on the musical mind. 

Music box

Steven Verhelst wrote ‘A Song for Japan’  following the tsunami which devastated much of the country in 2011.  This is the 50th version he has produced, rebuilding the material into an extended cadenza.  

Beginning with the tinkling of a child’s music box, the accompaniment is scored very sparingly, with only a few bars of tutti towards the end.

The three-movement ‘Danzone’, originally conceived for bass trombone and piano, elaborates on two Latin American forms; the ‘Canzone’ (song) and the ‘Danzon’ (dance).  

The solo line in the first section is wide-ranging, whilst the middle movement features broad, sweeping phrases from the band.  The lively compound time finale has more lightning-fast semiquavers which the soloist delivers with remarkable clarity and precision.

Flamenco bonus

As a bonus track (and this is a proper bonus, not an added throwaway), the soloist demonstrates his prowess on the flamenco guitar, as he is joined by trombonist Jan Oosting and tuba player Martin van den Berg in the folk song setting ‘La Tarara’. 

With the clever use multi-tracking overlay, they cover the six trombone parts, (3 tenor, 2 bass and a contra), tuba and guitar in quite splendid fashion.

Throughout this well produced release, the obvious rapport between band and Ben van Dijk is first class, whilst the quality of the soloist’s performance is never less than magnificent, in what should be a welcome addition to anyone’s instrumental CD collection.

Peter Bale 

Contents

1. World Concerto
- Allegro, 4.06
- Andante, 6.22
- Allegretto, 4.05
2. Shenandoah, 5.32
3. Pizolla medley
- Libertango, 4.05
- Oblivion, 3.16
- Escualo, 2.22
4. Na sopkah manchurri, 3.43
5. O boundless salvation, 4.39
6. A song for japan, 5.31
7. Danzone
- Part 1, 3.19
- Part 2, 4.32
- Part 3, 2.14
8. God so loved the wortld, 4.12
9. La tarara (Bonus Track), 4.54