Review

Vincent d’Indy
Three Pieces:

Arranged by Ralph Sauer


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

Primary Genre: Solo Tenor Trombone - with piano

These two arrangements are of the exact same music by d’Indy. The first two movements are taken from d’Indy’s Opus 33 Tableaux de Voyage No.10 – Lermoos, and No.1 – Préamble. The piano score lists the title of No.1 as a question mark, not Préamble, which was originally for piano solo. The third movement, Sérénade, is an independent piece, d’Indy’s Opus 28, for violin and piano. The arrangements do not change the original music but the trombone arrangement is set one tone lower than the tuba arrangement. In terms of key structure, the trombone arrangement of the first piece is placed in the key of the original, in E-flat. The second piece, in C, and the third, in F, match the tuba arrangement with the original.

These pieces are nicely done, and the arrangements seem effective, but I cannot in good conscience say that these pieces are of great interest. Of the three, the melody of the Sérénade is to my ears the most interesting. Rhythmically the second piece, in 5/8 meter, has some interest, and the set as a whole is pleasing to the ear and not taxing to perform. Nice arrangements, lovingly done, but not first rank material.

-Philip Brink
Mahidol University