Review

Johann Sebastian Bach
Six Cello Suites:

Arranged by Larry Clark


New York, NY, United States
Publisher: Carl Fischer
Date of Publication: 2014
URL: http://www.carlfischer.com

Primary Genre: Solo Tenor Trombone - unaccompanied

The Bach cello suites have been transcribed or edited by numerous individuals resulting in a multitude of versions. The suites are superbly designed and musically edifying while their technical challenges remain manageable for the diligent instrumentalist.
 
The intent of this particular edition is “… to bring these incredibly rich pieces to many more instrumentalist [sic] who otherwise would not get the chance to play them without this book.” The editor references the original “Anna Magdalena manuscript” as the basis of this edition. This publication includes indications of phrasing which are added or altered to promote a trombonist’s realization. When necessary, cue-sized notes specify alternative octave displacements for trombonists playing an instrument without an F-attachment. Many of the written double-stops have been retained to “help the performer understand the implied harmonies of the pieces,” however there are no instructions for performing them or suggestions for performing pitches below E.
 
Page turns are a problem. Because the first page of music is located on the right, unnecessary page turns are encountered throughout the suites. Although not a critical issue, they are an annoyance since several required turns occur in the middle of a phrase; i.e. not at a repeat bar. The print seems to be slightly condensed on most pages, but pitches are clear and easy to read.

-Kevin Chiarizzio
Liberty University