Review

Johann Strauss, Sr.
Radetzky March:

Arranged by David Fetter

5 tenor, 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 - 6 trombones

This was written to celebrate the Austrian victory over Italy at the battle of Custoza in 1866, total casualties 13,797. I think of this piece as more dressage than a march; it’s the victorious emperor on his horse, leading the parade. Meanwhile, in Italy: Verdi, a member of parliament, was writing his opera Don Carlos, a story of political intrigue, jealousy and murder.

The arrangement is scored for five tenor and one bass trombone, and is given in F (original key D). It is in alla breve meter at a tempo of half-note = 96; the original tempo marking is vivo. All parts are in bass clef. Overall range for first is c-b-flat¹, and for bass trombone BB-flat-c¹. First trombone carries most of the tune, doubled for 12 measures by second. Other parts play supporting roles; of these, fifth is the most interesting. Not counting repeats, there are 82 measures of music; no part has more than one full measure of rest. All parts cover only two pages, no problems with page turning.

David Fetter is a former trombonist of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and taught at the Peabody Conservatory. He is now a conductor, teacher and composer and active in the field of civil rights.