Review

Ralph Sauer
Practice with Bach Volume 2: Twenty-four études based upon the Six Partitas (BWV 825-830)
Alto trombone

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

Etude book

Primary Genre: Study Material - etude

Practice with Bach is a monumental collection of etudes for brass instruments based on the music of Johann Sebastian Bach. Ralph Sauer created four volumes of compositions dedicated to various brass instruments, including tuba, euphonium, horn, tenor, alto, and bass trombones. A specific set of pieces inspire each volume totaling 86 etudes. Volume 2 uses the six keyboard Partitas as its foundation.

Evidently, Mr. Sauer is an admirer and student of Bach's music and has made several adaptations of his music. He follows the overall key structure of the six original partitas: B-flat, c, g, D, G, e, transposing them a perfect fifth lower to a friendly alto trombone key. The result is six etudes in E-flat major, four in F minor, three in D minor, two in G major, five in C major, and four in A minor. The keys get somewhat progressively tricky, creating a favorable pedagogical structure for the etudes. Whether intended or not, the layout of the tonalities is artistically and pedagogically gratifying.

These etudes are certainly for advanced players. They are long, full of fast passages, require stamina, and exploit a wide tessitura. However, the melodies feel familiar and are surprisingly comfortable to play, an extraordinary pedagogical feat that makes the etudes musically and technically challenging yet rewarding and enjoyable. As explained in the book's forward, the alto trombone version also works well on tenor trombone to improve range and alto clef reading; the arpeggiated and scaler patterns make the clef reading reasonably simple.

Like some of Sauer's previous work, such as his Orchestral Etudes, this collection gives players a fun, useful, and musical option to familiarize themselves with patterns of standard, classical repertoire. This exquisite artistic and pedagogical tool is a must-have for all serious players out there; it will keep you busy, entertained, and motivated.