Review

Johannes Brahms
Twelve Songs:

Arranged by Ralph Sauer


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

Primary Genre: Trombone Ensembles - 4 trombones

These songs, Op.44, were written between 1859-1866 for a capella women's chorus. At that time, a capella writing was becoming quite fashionable. Brahms wrote these short one to two minute pieces in what the publisher writes were "in the choral tradition of the Renaissance and early Baroque." All parts are written in bass clef. The first part does not go above g1 and the fourth part does not go below E-flat. As is always the case with Sauer's arrangements, dynamics and phrase markings are tastefully inserted. This collection is a welcome addition to the intermediate and above trombone ensemble repertoire.

-Joel Elias
California State University, Fresno and Sacramento