Review

Georges Bizet
Chants du Rhin (sans paroles):

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

These moody, reflective movements comprise a six-part cycle composed in 1865 for piano. Similar offerings for tenor trombone and euphonium have been published. The range of the movements in the cycle extends from BB-flat to d-flat1, making it suitable for tuba or bass trombone. The simplicity of the solo line is deceptive. It is important to take a closer look at the score in order to understand that the accompaniment is often challenging. In the case of faster movements like Le Départ and La Bohémienne, significant rehearsal time may be needed for ensemble. The performer will benefit from lots of listening - subtle changes in tempo in all of the movements and performance practices that have been handed down for 150 years make these beautiful songs challenging. Slower movements like L’Aurore, Les Rêve, and Les Condidences are beautiful. The cycle is obviously designed to be an overall experience, so it will be most effective if performed all the way through, but L’Aurore is long enough to work as a stand-alone piece. This is music requires an advanced level of technique and an even stronger level of musicianship.

-Sean Reed
Arkansas Tech University