Review

Giovanni Pierluigi Da Palestrina
Sicut Cervus: Psalm 41:2

Arranged by Paul Garza

3 tenor and 1 bass trombone

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Publisher: Cherry Classics Music
Date of Publication: 2019
URL: http://www.cherryclassics.com

Score and parts

Primary Genre: Trombone Ensembles - 4 trombones

Sicut Cervus is a motet for four-part a capella chorus by Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina. First published in 1587, the Latin text originates from the beginning of Psalm 41. In English, the text translates as follows: “As a deer longs for springs of water, so longs my soul for thee, O God.”

The original motet is highly contrapuntal. Three Latin phrases from the text are set to three different musical subjects, and these subjects are layered amongst the four voice parts in a fugal nature. The result is a beautiful combination of interwoven phrases, and each subject entrance rises up above the counterpoint, to highlight the different voice parts.

Paul Garza’s arrangement for trombone quartet works quite nicely. He has changed little from the original composition, other than the key. The independent nature of each part allows for a wide range of musical dialogue. In addition, every part is equally featured, which facilitates the development of chamber music skills.

This arrangement will work well for quartet or trombone choir at the advanced high school level and above. The first part tessitura sits well in the upper register, b-flat to b-flat¹ in tenor clef, so players on this part should have the stamina and range to play the part comfortably. The lowest note in the bass trombone part is E-flat; it could be played on tenor trombone if necessary.