Review

Max Warnecke
Concertpiece:

Arranged by Ron Babcock

solo trombone and 3 tenor, 1 bass trombone

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Publisher: Cherry Classics Music
Date of Publication: 2020
URL: http://www.cherryclassics.com

Score and parts

Primary Genre: Solo Tenor Trombone - with brass
Secondary Genre: Trombone Ensembles - 5 trombones

Warnecke was a trombone virtuoso based in Hamburg where he was born in 1878. He died there in 1940. He is known nowadays for a method book and études. Konzertstuck is his Op.28 and was dedicated to Richard Handke. It was published by Zimmerman (Leipzig) in 1901 in its original version for trombone and piano, and also in an orchestral version. In 1898 Handke was a student at the Leipzig Conservatory; it is possible that Warnecke also studied there, but I am not able to confirm this. Some records of him may have been lost in the 1943 Hamburg firestorm.

Concert Piece is given in its original key of B-flat, and scored for solo trombone and a quartet of three tenors and one bass trombone. It is marked Allegro, in 4/4 meter at a tempo of 140bpm. The solo part is given in bass clef, range F-b-flat¹. First and second parts in the quartet are in tenor clef, third and fourth in bass. First tops out at c² and second at f¹.

There are three distinct sections, Allegro recitative, Maestoso, and Moderato, this last section marked at a very flexible tempo - langsammer, a tempo, rall., Getragen etc. The solo part is a veritable showpiece with plenty of technical challenges as well as a variety of tempi; but musically it is not a very interesting piece, relying rather heavily on well-worn clichés. However, the soloist has every opportunity to play beautifully and the pleasant sonorities of the trombone quartet  provide an excellent accompaniment. Dr. Babcock has taught at Portland State University School of Music since 1988 and is currently Associate Professor of Music.