Review

Davi Popper
Requiem:

Arranged by New Trombone Collective

three trombones and piano

Coventry, , United Kingdom
Publisher: Warwick Music Publishers
Date of Publication: 2008
URL: http://www.warwickmusic.com

Score and parts

Primary Genre: Chamber Music
Secondary Genre: Trombone Ensembles - 3 trombones

David Popper (1843-1913) was a Bohemian cellist and prolific composer of music for his instrument. In 1867 Popper made his debut in Vienna and was appointed principal cellist in the Vienna State Opera. He later settled in Budapest, where he premiered Brahms's Piano Trio No.3, taught at the Conservatory, and composed over 75 works for cello. Written in 1891, Popper's lush and powerful Requiem for three cellos and orchestra (or piano) has remained a popular piece in the cellist's repertoire to this day. The original score included a prefatory poem in memory of his friend Daniel Rahter, to whom the piece is dedicated. Belonging to the late Romantic idiom, it primarily showcases beautiful lyricism and is reminiscent of Schubert's String Quintet in C Major. Almost an exact transcription of the original, the New Trombone Collective's arrangement equally distributes the melodic lines among the three trombones. Marked Andante sostenuto, its key shifts from F-sharp minor to a central section in B-flat major, and then returns back to the original key and opening material. It demands fluency and security in all registers for all three trombonists. The first part ranges from B-flat to e2, and the second part from D to e2. The third part, which ranges from C to b1, does not require a bass trombonist, however, one would be preferred to help fill out the piece texturally. The individual parts, while difficult, include strategically placed periods of rest so endurance is not a problem. Arranged for and recorded by the New Trombone Collective on their compact disc Trombone (KTC 1284, Etcetera Label), Popper's Requiem is accessible to a trio of trombonists at the advanced or graduate college level. The piano part needs a sensitive musician but is not overly difficult from a technical standpoint.

-Russ Ballenger
Tuscaloosa, AL