Sebastián Yradier was a Spanish born composer who despite the universal popularity of the piece died in obscurity in 1865. Based on the Cuban habanera rhythm, “La Paloma” (The Dove) was written after the composer visited Cuba around 1860 and became very popular worldwide. This arrangement for 2 trombones is in the key of Bb. A tempo of 62 quarter note (crotchet) beats to the minute is suggested and used in the playback. The melody needs to be played with a legato touch whilst the accompaniment figuration should be played staccato or certainly in a detached manner. Trombone 2 accompaniments are in place playing at 58, 60, 62 and 64 quarter note or crotchet beats to the minute. The lines of music are rhythmically independent and the trombone 2 should not end up being synchronized with the triplet figuration of the melody. There are many different versions of this piece and the triplet figuration provides challenges on how the music can be both notated and played. Popular rhythms particularly those derived from dance travelled very quickly around the globe in these times and the habanera pattern became an essential rhythmic feature of Argentinian tango music and is familiar from Bizet’s opera Carmen. If you are struggling to understand how to play cross rhythms have a look at one of the threes against two polyrhythms tutorials that are available on YouTube. This is an excellent movement in learning how to play and understand triplets.
