Review

Robert Schumann
Five Pieces in Folk Style Op.102:

Arranged by Ralph Sauer


Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Publisher: Cherry Classics Music
Date of Publication: 2008
URL: http://www.cherryclassics.com

Primary Genre: Solo Tenor Trombone - with piano

Originally for cello and piano, Mr. Sauer has meticulously transcribed Schumann’s Five Pieces for trombone and piano. The transcription is nearly complete except for twenty four measures that were removed from the solo part in the first movement, likely because of the double stops in the original cello part as well as doubling in the piano.  

Paul Droste’s arrangement of the same piece, transposed a whole step lower than the original, has long been popular in the euphonium repertoire and many trombonists have likely played that version as well. Mr. Sauer preserves the original key in his version. Since these pieces were composed in a “folk style” their forms are fairly repetitive and phrase lengths are often irregular. The work covers an extensive range, E to c2 and switches between tenor and bass clefs throughout. The pieces cover a wide emotional spectrum ranging from humorous to melancholy and they allow the performer to explore the versatility of the trombone through fast technical displays and slower displays of lyricism. These pieces are a welcome addition to the transcription repertoire for trombone. Played well, they will sound fantastic on trombone and/or euphonium. 

-Eric High
St. Norbert College