Review

Johann Sebastian Bach
Fugue:

Arranged by Ernest Miller


Newton, IA, United States
Publisher: TAP Music Sales
Date of Publication: 1988

Primary Genre: Trombone Ensembles - 3 trombones

This fugue BWV 952 is found in a collection of instructional keyboard pieces J.S. Bach prepared for his eldest son, Wilhelm Friedemann. Not all the works in this collection were composed by J.S. Bach and questions of his authorship exist for this piece. Originally set in C major, it has been transposed down a major second to B-flat major. The subject consists of a snake-like, descending sequence of sixteenth-note runs that challenge slide agility and pitch placement, as one must expect when performing Bach on trombone. Ranges lie well within the grasp of most experienced trombonists; trombone 1: C to b-flat1, trombone 2: B to f1, trombone 3: E to b-flat. The arranger has been kind enough to include helpful cautionary accidentals, which prove helpful in the heat of battle. Score and individual parts are easy to read and contain minimal editorial indications, features appreciated by this reviewer. This is a nice arrangement that is both challenging and enjoyable without being over-taxing.

-Kevin Chiarizzio
Liberty University