Review

Richard Wagner
Immolation Scene: from Götterdämmerung

Arranged by Randall Malmstrom

two quartets, 3 tenors (2 in tenor clef), 1 bass

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

Score and parts

Primary Genre: Trombone Ensembles - 8 trombones

Randall Malmstrom does an admirable job of capturing the final moments of Götterdämmerung, and the entire Ring cycle in this arrangement of the Immolation Scene. He reduces Wagner’s gigantic score to eight parts: two choirs of four, with a bass trombone in each choir. The arrangement is taken from the final 41 measures of the music drama, which starts with a trombone soli, heard here in Trombone 1. The original key is maintained. After a short, bombastic introduction, the song of the Rhinemaidens is heard in Trombone 5, the top part of the second choir, with rapid and delicate sextuplets in Trombones 6 and 7. Shortly thereafter the ring leitmotif appears with the transformation theme following. Wagner’s trademark layering of leitmotifs continues as the piece builds to a mighty climax and grand pause. Then, as in the original work, the transformation theme is again heard, the music increases to fortississimo, then diminishes one final time. The Trombone 1 part goes to d-flat2, and the bass parts go to DD-flat, the last note, and FF, respectively. In addition to giving trombonists the thrill of playing Wagner, this piece also provides players with the opportunity to practice many skills: a wide range of dynamics, sustaining beautiful forte and fortissimo passages, flexibility, tuning at both loud and soft levels, and rhythmic precision. Mr. Malmstrom takes the final measures of Wagner’s work and creates a piece that highlights the power and contrasting stylistic capabilities of the trombone ensemble.