Review

Ludwig Milde
Concert Studies (Volume Two) :

Arranged by Ralph Sauer

Bass trombone or tuba

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Publisher: Cherry Classics Music
Date of Publication: 2016
URL: http://www.cherryclassics.com

Etude book. 53 pages. Grade 6

Primary Genre: Study Material - etude

Ralph Sauer has given a great gift to the trombone world in editing and releasing this second volume of Milde’s Concert Studies. Originally written for bassoon, these studies are as musically satisfying as one would expect, and themselves present a good case for trombonists to delve more deeply into bassoon repertoire. Milde was a Czech composer living and working near the turn of the 20th century. His music will be a breath of fresh air to the student and professional bass trombonist alike. The musical language is much easier to digest than Kopprasch or Blazhevich, while still presenting demanding musical and technical challenges.

It is typical for each of these studies to span three octaves. Figures require players to sweep in and out of the pedal and/or upper registers within graceful, tonal melodies. Far too often etude books allow trombonists to simply sit on an extreme register note or use it to cap a phrase. Such notes are rarely integrated into the normal, musical language of the etude. Milde’s etudes use these notes as a matter of course. In order to master an etude, the trombonist must master their instrument.

The collection is marked by great variety. Each study has its own character, resulting in a mix of keys, figures, meters and musical demands. None of the musical vignettes feels recycled and many are imminently re-playable, more than worthy of integrating into a more permanent personal daily routine. These studies should be a staple of every serious bass trombonist, amateur or professional. They present themselves as the possible next step for those looking beyond the current tried-and-true collection of etude books. Concert Studies represent a cumulative musical and technical challenge for the advanced bass trombonist.