Review

Anton Bruckner
Libera me, Domine WAB 21, 1854:

Arranged by Barnaby Kerekes


Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Publisher: Cherry Classics Music
Date of Publication: 2010
URL: http://www.warwickmusic.com

Primary Genre: Brass Ensemble - 6+ brass (choir)

Canadian bass trombonist Barnaby Kerekes’ arrangement of Bruckner’s Libera me, Domine is a fairly direct transcription of this beautiful, f-minor, choral work. Bruckner scored two versions of Libera me: WAB 21 (1845) in F major and WAB 22 (1854) in F minor. The version transcribed by Kerekes is WAB 22 even though the title specifies WAB 21. It was composed for the funeral of Michael Arneth, Prelate of the Augustinian monastery of St. Florian. Originally scored for SSATB, 3 trombones, clarinet, double bass and organ, Mr. Kerekes has chosen to arrange the vocal parts into trumpet, flugelhorn, 2 horns, and trombone or euphonium. He leaves the original trombone parts as alto/tenor/bass and incorporates the clarinet/double bass material into the tuba part. 

In alla breve meter, the piece begins and ends with homophonic sections that surround a middle fugato section. The grade of moderate difficulty given by the arranger most likely refers to instrument ranges: B-flat trumpet e-flat1-b-flat2; B-flat flugelhorn d1-a2; 1st horn d1-a-flat2; 2nd horn g-c1; trombone/euphonium F-c1; alto trombone b-flat-a1; tenor trombone f-f1; bass trombone F-a-flat; tuba FF-a-flat. The alto trombone part is playable on tenor trombone; an alternate part in tenor or bass clef is not provided. Of course, the original, intended diversity of vocal vs. instrumental texture is lost in the homogeneous brass timbre and the use of flugelhorn and euphonium make this even more pronounced. However, overall, this is good high school to college level transcription.

-Jonathan Gill
Tarleton State University