Review

Georg Philipp Telemann
Sonata in B-flat :

Arranged by Alwyn Green


Coventry, , United Kingdom
Publisher: Warwick Music Publishers
Date of Publication: 2010
URL: http://www.warwickmusic.com

Primary Genre: Trombone Ensembles - 4 trombones

This is a well-designed arrangement of Telemann’s Trio Sonata No.8 TWV 42:B4, originally for recorder, harpsichord, and continuo. This work has been carefully crafted and is not a mere copy of the original set for trombones. There are interesting melodic figures dispersed among all four parts throughout.	
 
The sonata is cast in four-movements as follows: Dolce, which is charming with light syncopation. Careful attention should be given to technique since it is easy for a low brass ensemble to sound muddy if not performed in a light, buoyant style. The second movement, Vivace, contains sixteenth note sequences, many of which are shared as duos or are passed from one player to the next. The 12/8 meter third movement, Siciliana, assigns the melody to the third trombone part. The spritely final movement, Vivace, has been arranged to avoid a thick and boggy texture.
 
The first three parts are given in tenor clef, the fourth in bass clef. Score and parts are clean and easy to read, however, there is only one dynamic marking in the entire piece, so the performers should take time to set their own dynamics. A sample score and midi excerpt can be found at: www.warwickmusic.com

-Patrick Lawrence
University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point