Review

Johann Sebastian Bach
Canzona in D minor BWV 588:

Arranged by Robert Coulter

Brass quintet: D trumpet, B-flat trumpet, F horn, trombone, tuba

Vancover, British Columbia, Canada
Publisher: Cherry Classics Music
Date of Publication: 2021
URL: http://www.cherryclassics.com

Score and parts.

Primary Genre: Brass Ensemble - 5 brass

This is an early work written for organ sometime between 1705 (Mülhausen) and 1717 (Weimar). According to Malcolm Boyd, it shows the influence of Corelli, and according to James Reel, it closely follows the example of Frescobaldi. There are two separate sections, both in D minor, and in both of which the subject is treated fugally.

The arrangement is scored in the original key of D minor. The first section is in common time. Trombone has first entry, playing ‘solo’ for seven measures, followed by second trumpet and horn. The second section is in 3/2 meter. The new subject is introduced by the horn and second trumpet, followed by first trumpet and trombone. The work ends on a D major chord spread over three octaves.

The trombone part is in bass clef, range G-f¹. First trumpet tops out at c³ concert. An alternate part is provided in E-flat, which is the key of the Haydn and Hummel concerti. Second trumpet tops out at f² and horn at c² (concert) with an optional f2. Tuba goes down to GG. Parts are of intermediate difficulty and this arrangement is well-suited to a good, student level ensemble. Robert Coulter plays bass trombone and tuba in the Atlanta Philharmonic Orchestra, and is Principal Tuba of the Georgia Philharmonic.