Review

Giuseppe Verdi
“Dies irae” from Requiem: for 6-part trombone choir

Arranged by Jeremy Niles Kempton


Vancouver, BC, Canada
Publisher: Cherry Classics Music
Date of Publication: 2011
URL: http://www.cherryclassics.com

Primary Genre: Trombone Ensembles - 6 trombones

Written in 1874, the “Dies irae” from Verdi’s Requiem musically depicts the sheer terror of souls facing their final verdict on the “Day of Wrath.” This arrangement captures both the fierce intensity and the gentle expression of the original. Kempton features the trombone choir in well-chosen selections from the original movement, including the powerful opening “Dies irae” statement, the trumpet fanfare prelude to the “Tuba mirum,” and the tender mezzo-soprano solo, “Liber scriptus.” In order to fully achieve the intention of the arrangement, players must have control and stamina in loud dynamics and delicate sensitivity in softer, expressive playing.   

The first and second parts are notated in tenor clef and the remaining parts are in bass clef. There is an alternate first part in alto clef for optional alto trombone. While the first part does not extend above b-flat1, it does stay in the upper register throughout the work and may be more comfortably played on alto trombone. Parts three, four, and five stay mostly in the middle register but players must show independence in exposed and technical material. The first, fourth, and fifth parts feature trigger trills between g1 and f-sharp1 (or g and f-sharp) to mimic the strings’ trills near the beginning of the movement. The group should have two strong bass trombone players, as their part extends down to GG multiple times. The score indicates that a percussionist may join the bass trombonists to realize the actual bass drum punctuations at the beginning of the movement, although there is no percussion part. Ideally, all parts should be doubled to provide a full, strong sound in tutti sections, and there are indications for one on a part in more exposed chamber type material. Most college-level trombone choirs will find this arrangement accessible; it offers a wonderful opportunity for students to play material from Verdi’s Requiem. 

-Sarah Paradis
Boise State University