Review

Richard Wagner
Excerpt from Das Rheingold:

Arranged by Randall Malmstrom

Trombone octet: Eight trombones: 6 tenor, 2 bass trombones

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

Score and parts.

Primary Genre: Trombone Ensembles - 8 trombones

A trombone octet arrangement of prominent leitmotifs from Wagner’s Das Rheingold is now available from Cherry Classics. Randall Malmstrom, Portland Opera Orchestra trombonist and brass arranger in the Pacific Northwest, transcribed the piece.

Wagner’s Ring Cycle begins with the opera Das Rheingold, in which he introduces the cycle’s leitmotifs – recurring musical ideas that illustrate a character, idea, or narrative element. Several of these already feature low brass, making the transcription and arrangement of others a natural fit for trombone octet.

Malmstrom’s arrangement combines Wagner’s leitmotifs into a continuous five-minute work. He retains Wagner’s original key of D-flat major, with brief modulations to E-flat major and G-flat major. All parts require strong players; parts six and seven contain several exposed solos. Phrasing will come naturally to ensembles familiar with the original material. However, careful attention is required for leitmotifs written for other instruments. Subtle flexibilities in tempo and rhythm, changing tonalities, and Wagner’s chromatic musical language add to the challenges facing an ensemble performing this arrangement.

The piece uses standard trombone octet instrumentation of six tenor trombones and two basses, but ensembles may wish to use alto trombone for part one and contrabass trombone for part eight to accommodate range demands. Doubling parts 2-7 throughout the piece will provide appropriate fullness and density to an arrangement imitating operatic, orchestral sounds.

 

Malmstrom’s arrangement for advanced players would serve as a showpiece for an outstanding trombone ensemble. Parts and score use modern engraving with clear, legible notation. The piece is available for purchase as a PDF download, mailed physical copy, or both. Five parts appear in tenor clef, three are in bass clef, and none require mutes.