Review

Johann Sebastian Bach
Four Duets: BWV 802-805

Arranged by Ralph Sauer

Two trombones

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

Score and parts

Primary Genre: Trombone Ensembles - 2 trombones

These duets are originally part of the Clavier-Übung III from 1739. As such they were written for a keyboard instrument but do fit well as a duet for two melodic instruments. They are rhythmically complex and cover a wide range beyond the normal expectation of many student level players. Perhaps the duets are meant to be used as recreational playing by professional level players, as concert material or as study works for highly advanced graduate students. Whatever the intended use, they are works of great musical value and repay the effort and time spent learning them.

No.1, BWV 802, is in E minor. The upper part, in tenor clef, has been lowered an octave from the keyboard original. Rhythmic values have been doubled, eighth notes to quarters, sixteenths to eighths and so on. This change makes the resulting score easier to read and makes its appearance less daunting. The parts exhibit wide ranges; the upper part spans G to b1; the lower part BB-flat to e1. The intervallic content is challenging, with many augmented and diminished intervals. The parts trade melodic content, similar to the interplay in Bach's Two Part Inventions.

No.2, BWV 803, is in F major. The upper part is once again lowered an octave from the keyboard original. Apart from that transposition, the part is substantially the same as Bach wrote it. Its range covers A to c2. The second part is truly a bass trombone part, with range extending from C to e. The parts require considerable agility often exchanging groups of sixteenth notes; as in the first duet, interval content is often challenging.

No.3, BWV 804, is in G major and a smoothly flowing 12/8 meter with eighth note arpeggio figures alternating with legato sixteenths in stepwise motion. Part 1 ranges from B to c2, while part 2 ranges from D to d1.

No.4, BWV 805, is perhaps the most challenging of these pieces. It is in alla breve meter with much fast motion on eighth-note arpeggiated figures. Since these passages, at least in the upper part, often lie in the upper range of the instrument, there is need for careful preparation and practice to achieve an accurate, successful performance. The upper part ranges from c to b1, the lower part C to e1. The key of this duet is A minor.