Review

Sergei Rachmaninoff
Sérénade, Op.3, No.5:

Arranged by Ralph Sauer

Tuba (bass trombone) and piano

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

Score and solo part.

Primary Genre: Solo Bass/Contrabass Trombone - with piano

This is a fairly simple arrangement for bass instrument and piano. The sound and style of performance is what it’s all about, without a lot of undue complications. Many violinistic figurations found in the original are reduced or even eliminated for ease of performance.

From Cherry Classics Music: Sérénade is an early work of Rachmaninoff, from a grouping of five, short solo Piano pieces titled Morceau de Fantasie written in 1892 and dedicated to his harmony teacher Anton Arensky. One of his most famous works, the Prélude in C-sharp minor is from this same Opus 3. Opus 3, No. 5 set in C minor (original key in B-flat minor) is the final work of the set and is in a gentle Waltz style, sometimes venturing into the Dorian mode. Rachmaninoff's lush harmonies and gorgeous melody work very well for the Tuba or Bass Trombone with this fine arrangement by Ralph Sauer. For advanced performers, this movement is about five minutes in length.

Paramount considerations in preparing this work for performance involve mastering smooth legato and clean articulation. Whether the melody instrument plays alone, or the two instruments play together, each presents its music somewhat independently. As we have come to expect from Mr. Sauer, this is a masterful transcription for low brass and should be a popular recital piece. Highly recommended!