Review

Sergej Rachmaninov
Vocalise, Opus 34, Number 14:

Arranged by Wolfgang Birtel

Trombone and piano

Köln, , Germany
Publisher: Verlag Dohr
Date of Publication: 2017
URL: http://www.dohr.de

Score and solo part

Primary Genre: Solo Tenor Trombone - with piano

Wolfgang Birtel's  trombone/piano transcription of Sergej Rachmaninov's famous vocal piece, Vocalise opus 13/14, is pitched a perfect fourth lower than the Keith Brown edition. Dynamics, tempos, articulations, and expression markings are clearly notated. This arrangement does not indicate slurring longer phrases as other arrangements do. Two long repeated sections offer opportunities to create longer or shorter performance experiences. The two-page layout gives ample room for the teacher or student two write in practice and rehearsal markings. The lower range, and use of bass clef exclusively, makes this arrangement more accessible to an intermediate, high school level player, while the notoriety and popularity of the piece  might make it appropriate for a college-level underclassman in an early studio recital experience.