Review

Igor Stravinsky
Finale from “Firebird”:

Arranged by Randall Malmstrom


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

Primary Genre: Trombone Ensembles - 8 trombones

Here is a glowing arrangement for trombone octet of the triumphant Finale from Igor Stravinsky’s The Firebird. While not a stand-alone piece, placing this work at the end of a program is sure to leave a lasting impression on an audience. It dares the listener to envisage a mythical bird in flight being depicted by a trombone ensemble. This is accomplished by frantic melodies, the extensive use of trills on g1, as in the first trombone part of the orchestral score, some rather difficult flourishes and a gradual thickening of the texture that culminates in the full firepower of an eight part trombone ensemble. Coupled with a neat presentation that is typical of Cherry Classics publications, this arrangement shines. Knowledge of tenor clef is important because the top six voices are in tenor clef. The two lowest voices are truly bass trombone parts, delving all the way down to EE with numerous manifestations of the problematic BB. The first trombone part isn’t extremely high – it is in the range you would expect it to be – only getting up to b1 on a few occasions. Take heed, the key of B Major may be a challenge to young trombonists. I imagine that arranging the Infernal Dance for trombone octet to be a daunting task. But paired with this arrangement of the Finale, the two make a tantalizing one-two punch!

-Tom Pylinski
Malone University