Review

Gustav Mahler
Langsam from Symphony No.3, Movement IV, “What Love Tells Me”: arranged for eight trombones or trombone choir

Arranged by Charles De Paolo


Ithaca, NY, United States
Publisher: Ensemble Publications
Date of Publication: 2009
URL: http://www.enspub.com

Primary Genre: Trombone Ensembles - 8 trombones

This is a simple arrangement of one of the most celebrated and beautiful musical moments in all of Mahler’s symphonic literature. The arranger has taken the first 37 measures of the opening string chorale and lowered the key from D to G. This keeps the ranges reasonable for any college trombone choir and still guards the integrity of the original. The original chorale is written in seven parts. The arranger uses the trombone 7 part to double other lines and reinforce and double the trombone 8 part. This could present balance issues in the softer sections but should not present problems if care is taken to balance the voices. All parts contain moments of melodic interest. This is an effective, great arrangement for trombone choir and a nice introduction to the music of Gustav Mahler for younger trombonists.

-Timothy Howe
University of Missouri