Review

Béla Bartók
Romanian Folk Dances:

Arranged by Ralph Sauer


Vancouver, BC, Canada
Publisher: Cherry Classics Music
Date of Publication: 2014
URL: http://www.cherryclassics.com

Piano score and solo part

Primary Genre: Solo Bass/Contrabass Trombone - with piano

Bartók originally composed his Romanian Folk Dances for solo piano in 1915 and then arranged the work for small orchestra in 1917. Other versions of the work include an arrangement for violin and piano by Zoltán Székely and a transcription for string orchestra by Arthur Willner. For this arrangement, Ralph Sauer transcribed the original piano melody for the tuba or bass trombone while making some notable additions to the piano part. At first glance, it appears that the only substantial change is the addition of two measures at the beginning of the first dance. However, since the original piano score consisted of the left hand almost exclusively providing the harmonic foundation while the right hand plays single note melodies, Mr. Sauer has taken the opportunity to fill out the piano accompaniment after giving the melody to the solo instrument. These additions will not be a detriment to the arrangement. Instead, they will most likely go unnoticed while the fuller harmonies may help the soloist with intonation.
 
Mr. Sauer has kept all six dances in their original keys and the melodic ranges appear manageable for any intermediate to advanced tuba or bass trombone player. In fact, the solo part is almost entirely in the bass staff with the exception of pedal AA in the first dance, c1 and d1, and one e1 in the last dance. The dynamics and articulations are clearly marked and it is suggested that they often be exaggerated to enhance the overall “folk song” feel of the work. As always, listen to multiple recordings of the piece as you learn it; the versions for solo piano and violin and piano are recommended. Think of ways to make ornaments that are more idiomatic to the piano or violin, such as grace notes and mordents, sound appropriately “folksy” on the bass trombone or tuba.
 
Since all six dances are short, this arrangement will fit well on a recital program as a complement to a larger piece. It will also make an excellent exam piece for a student jury when time is often limited. Most importantly, it helps bring the folk music of Béla Bartók to a group of instrumentalists who rarely get the opportunity to play anything else like it.

-Eric High
St. Norbert College