Review

Georg Frederick Handel
Hallelujah Chorus: from the "Messiah" for 8-part trombone ensemble

Arranged by Gordon Cherry

6 tenor, 2 bass trombones

Vancouver, British Columbia, United States
Publisher: Cherry Classics Music
Date of Publication: 2018
URL: http://www.cherryclassics.com

Score and parts

Primary Genre: Trombone Ensembles - 8 trombones

I  assume the reader is familiar with this popular work. We owe substantial gratitude to Gordon Cherry for the terrific music that he has published and arranged.

Approximately 2/3 of the way through, just before the fugue, this arrangement skips to the last five measures. If performing with a congregation or in a setting where the audience is not aware, this could be confusing. It might have been better to continue to arrange the entire chorus and indicate an optional cut.

The score specifies 6 tenors and 2 bass trombones in two choirs (3, 1); parts 1 and 5 are given in tenor clef. The original key of D is retained. Trombones 1 and 5 ascend to d2, part 4 descends to GG, and part 8 to AA. Part 2 has the most expansive range, D to a1. Appropriate dynamics and phrase markings are indicated. Some articulations are given at appropriate times. To be expected, there are octave displacements from the original; however melodic voice leading is retained. There are some typographical issues in the score and parts including collisions and missing dynamics, but these do not distract from the quality of the arrangement.

Because of range and musical demands, endurance will be a consideration, especially in parts 1 and 5. This should be approached by an ensemble with college level ability and will work well in a trombone choir setting.