bones apart trombone quartet

Bones Apart performs a wide variety of repertoire combining original works and skilful arrangements. Composers such as Beethoven, Bruckner and Stravinsky have all written for trombone ensemble. Beethoven wrote his 'Equali' for four trombones in 1812 and it was also played at his funeral. Holst, Mahler and Elgar (see photo) all explored the instrument's potential in their orchestral works and are all believed to have been able to play the trombone. In fact Gustav Holst was a member of the Carl Rosa Opera Company!

Bones Apart has commissioned many new works for trombone quartet including pieces from composers such as Gary Carpenter, Matthew Taylor, Christian Lindberg, John Kenny and Dan Jenkins.

Showcasing female composers, songwriters and iconic characters throughout history. Music by Hildegard von Bingen, Camilla de Rossi, Lili and Nadia Boulanger, Joni Mitchell, Nina Simone and Kathryn Tickell. Exploring historical female trailblazers from Boudicca and Cleopatra to Calamity Jane!

"Bones Apart enjoys a stellar reputation for producing chamber music of the very highest standard. A real coup, then, for the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland to showcase the ensemble in its prestigious Fridays at One slot."

"... the music was brought to the stage by a chamber group at the peak of its powers in a performance of elegance, subtlety and considerable variety in tonal colour."

21 February 2020

By Mark Good

Bandsman magazine

Colourful and enchanting tales including King Arthur, Robin Hood, Peer Gynt and Sweeney Todd. Music by Purcell, Grieg, Tchaikovsky, Malcolm Arnold, Eric Ewazen, Dan Jenkins and much more.

"You can be moved to tears by string quartets, uplifted by singers, astounded by pianists but you can only be seduced by trombones. Monteverdi, Purcell, Tchaikovsky, Ravel, Massenet and Humperdinck played by trombones was like seeing composers in new clothes. Their extraordinary technical ability and expressive harmonies, innate musicality and wonderful sounds successfully seduced a Leicester Lunchtime Concert audience."

7 March 2013

By Peter Baker

Leicester International Music Festival

A musical voyage from the Spanish peninsula to the discovery of The Americas. Music by Henry VIII, Gershwin, Nazareth, Villa Lobos, Bernstein and Piazzolla.

"In their concert they showed the RNCM brass students just how things should be done, with a flawless concert, demonstrating perfect balance, intonation, and their wonderful musical versatility. The place has buzzed with enthusiasm ever since their visit. A wonderful example to any young group who are wondering where to go in their musical life."

26 October 2009

By John Miller

Director of Brass Studies,

Royal Northern College of Music

Programme of music inspired by the works of English poet and playwright William Shakespeare. Including music by Byrd, Mendelssohn, Duke Ellington, Cole Porter, John Dankworth, Jason Carr and Tim Jackson.

"Music by Gounod, Debussy and Mendelssohn may seem unlikely material for four trombones but this highly accomplished all-female quartet demonstrated it was not in their Shakespeare-inspired concert. The tonal variety and pliancy of musical line produced by three tenor trombones and one bass trombone was quite astonishing at times."

28 November 2008

By Bernard Lee

Sheffield Telegraph