Review

Henry Purcell
Sonata:

Arranged by Jeremy Niles Kempton

Trombone and piano

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Publisher: Cherry Classics Music
Date of Publication: 2016
URL: http://www.cherryclassics.com

Score and solo part

Primary Genre: Solo Tenor Trombone - with piano

This Sonata, Z.850, was written for trumpet in D and strings c.1694. There are three movements marked Pomposo, Adagio and Presto respectively. In the original version, the trumpet does not play in the Adagio, which is in a minor key and is quite chromatic. The transcription is in B-flat, with the Adagio in G minor and the trombone plays in all three movements. Its part is given in bass clef; the majority of notes lie above the staff, and tenor clef might have been a better choice. Mordents are the only ornaments indicated. Overall range is d-b-flat¹. The piano part is of moderate difficulty. No chords contain more than four notes for either hand, but a span of a 9th is required. This beautiful piece is an inspired addition to our repertoire from an era not presently well represented in the trombone literature. The arranger is currently active as a trombonist and conductor in the New York area.