Review

Ottorino Respighi
St. Michael the Archangel from Church Windows:

Arranged by Randall Malmstrom

8 trombones

Vancouver, BC, , Canada
Publisher: Cherry Classics Music
Date of Publication: 2016
URL: http://www.cherryclassics.com

Score and parts.

Primary Genre: Trombone Ensembles - 8 trombones

This selection is taken from a four movement piece originally written for piano in 1919. Respighi later transcribed the music for orchestra and added religious titles and texts to provide a connection to stained glass windows. The piece has gained acceptance in the concert hall and as music for field shows. This approximately six-minute work depicts a battle between a dragon and St. Michael and his angels.

 

Arranger Malmstrom does an excellent job of spreading the majestic thematic material among all the parts. The soft, high, lyrical passages, originally assigned to the high woodwinds, present a significant challenge to the lead players. Crucial orchestral colors such as strings, harp, and percussion are, understandably, unaccounted for. Still, the impact of multiple trombones conveying the soulful material at fortissimo levels is quite visceral. Tenor clef is used in five of the tenor parts and two of the remaining parts are scored for bass trombone.