Review

Axel Hildingsen
25 Preludes:

Copenhagen, , Denmark
Publisher: Edition Wilhelm Hansen
Date of Publication: 2010
URL: http://www.nkoda.com

Primary Genre: Solo Tenor Trombone - with piano

This collection of short pieces, edited by Professor Niels-Ole Bo Johansen, first appeared as part of Anton Hansen’s Trombone Method in 1941. However, that edition did not include the piano part. Over the years, various revised editions of Hansen’s Method have appeared including a version by Palmer Traulsen in 1957 and another by Mogens Andresen in 1977, which did not include these pieces. This edition reunites the trombone and piano parts; for this we should be grateful.
 
No piece is longer than one page and many are shorter. Ranging from G to b-flat1, they use both bass and tenor clefs. High range demands are limited. Harmonically and rhythmically they are fairly conservative and should be well within the reach of a strong high school level player. It is nice to see a variety of musical styles including some pieces that are quite slow and sustained. In that respect, these pieces more accurately reflect standard orchestral literature for the trombone. Musically, I find that the pieces wander at times. The piano accompaniments seem quite manageable, perhaps a notch more challenging than those that accompany the Bordogni Vocalises. Hildingsen’s 25 Preludes are useful as accompanied sight-reading and the better works among the collection can serve as study material, especially for students wanting greater musical variety in their diets.

-Brad Edwards
Arizona State University