Review

Carl Nielsen
Two Fantasy Pieces, Opus 2:

Arranged by Ralph Sauer

Tuba (bass trombone) and piano

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Publisher: Cherry Classics Music
Date of Publication: 2017
URL: http://www.cherryclassics.com

Score and solo part

Primary Genre: Solo Bass/Contrabass Trombone - with piano

Carl Nielsen composed these two fantasy pieces for oboe and organ 1889-1890. Ralph Sauer has set these works for tuba (bass trombone) and piano. Both movements are three minutes in length and provide opportunity for musicality in a technically easy work. These fantasies will be great for students beginning solos studies.

I. Romance, utilizes scalar and arpeggiated passages in G and D minor. The main motif is repeated several times while the accompaniment plays shifting subdivisions providing a musically challenging landscape. The main tessitura ranges from D to d1 with an isolated GG in the last cadence.

II. Humoresque, is quick with scalar and neighbor tone passages in D. Nielsen uses staccato grace notes to punctuate phrases. This feature will give young musicians the chance to control tempo and provide some musical comedy. Again, the tessitura is less than two octaves from D to c1.

Two Fantasy Pieces is a welcome addition to the educational repertoire. Many young musicians will benefit from the study of these short, classic pieces.