Review

Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Two Movements from String Quartet No.1:

Arranged by Andrew Poirier

1 alto, 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: Trombone Ensembles - 5 trombones

This arrangement of the second and third movements of Tchaikovsky’s String Quartet No.1 was created for the Canadian trombone ensemble iTromboni. It is a quintet, scored ATTTB, and given the virtuosity required is probably best performed as a quintet and not as a trombone choir piece with doubling. The instrumentation, with the addition of the alto trombone, successfully tries to get the color and spacing of the original string quartet without changing the original key. Tchaikovsky’s quartet scoring translates effectively to the homogeneous sounds of the trombone quintet. All the parts get solo or lead moments in the arrangement, and though the alto trombone part has adequate rests, it does get to f2 and e-flat2 regularly demanding a strong performer. The Scherzo requires strong technical skills from all players, and this arrangement, while well-crafted, is written at a professional or graduate student level throughout. Portions of the beautiful and well known Andante cantabile has been arranged for trombone ensemble before, but the extra benefit of this arrangement is that it includes the entire second movement and its contrasting section, in addition to the complete third movement. It is a nice addition to the advanced trombone ensemble repertoire and with the right group can be a beautiful addition to a recital program. Grade 5-6.