Review

Various
Bel Canto Studies:

Arranged by Ralph Sauer

Tuba (bass trombone) and piano

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

Music of Rossini, Bellini, Donizetti arranged for tuba (bass trombone) and piano. Score and solo part.

Primary Genre: Solo Bass/Contrabass Trombone - with piano

An important part of the attraction of this edition of Bel Canto Studies is the inclusion of piano. Low brass students often have limited opportunity to become accustomed to working with pianists, and recent editions of legato studies, such as the Bordogni-Rochut Melodious Etudes, have been increasingly utilizing piano accompaniment. Questions of balance, style and intonation can best be handled with the piano – a player worthy of his/her salt will learn to take into account the necessary adaptations in the context of what amounts to chamber music with piano.

There is nothing particularly surprising in the creation of these studies: they have been used for centuries in the training of students of singing, and the process is not dramatically different when the “singer” is performing on an instrument. What is of interest is the inclusion of music by the three most notable practitioners of the Bel Canto art: Rossini, Bellini and Donizetti. The ability to create and sustain a beautiful melodic line is central to the music of these three composers, even as it is a necessary component of the art of playing upon low brass instruments. As a result, this set of studies presents the student and the teacher with an excellent opportunity to focus on the development of such melodic quality in the student’s music making.

As for the relevance of this particular set of etudes to the purpose stated above, it is and has been my opinion that no one currently arranging music for lower brass has a better grasp both of the musical goals inherent in Bel Canto music as well as a great ability to make the performance on low brass of such lovely music a workable and indeed elegant prospect, as Ralph Sauer. Mr. Sauer has succeeded in this, as in all his efforts at arranging, making these Bel Canto Studies an important part of the low brass student’s repertoire.