Review

Johann Sebastian Bach
Ricercare a 3: from the Musical Offering BWV 1079

Arranged by Ralph Sauer

Trombone sextet: 6 trombones: 4 tenor, 2 bass trombones

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

Score and parts.

Primary Genre: Trombone Ensembles - 6 trombones

In May 1747 and nearing the end of his life, Bach traveled to visit his son Carl Philipp Emanuel who was in the employ of King Frederick the Great. Frederick, a music lover who knew of Bach’s abilities, asked him to improvise a fugue on a chromatic subject of the king’s devising. Two months later Bach sent to Frederick a collection of two ricercars, a trio sonata, and ten canons, all inspired by the king’s theme. They represent a high point in the world of Baroque counterpart and have come to be known as The Musical Offering.

Ralph Sauer has arranged one of these ricercars for trombone sextet. The upper four parts are written in tenor clef. The first part mostly respects an upper limit of c² but includes the occasional d-flat² or d². Personally, I would consider using a smaller-bore tenor on this part. The second and third parts also venture close to this tessitura thus requiring three players with respectable high range. The bottom two parts remain in bass clef and are indicated for bass trombone. The sixth part for bass trombone ranges down to pedal GG at one point but mostly remains above C. Given the independence among the parts with no place to hide, all six players will need to know the piece well and have strong rhythmic and ensemble skills in order to render a successful performance. I appreciate Sauer’s sharing of the work load among the parts. For example, the first part, while high, also features welcome rest throughout the arrangement.

The sheer chromaticism of King Frederick’s C-minor theme will still provide tuning challenges to players of this century. The music has all the seriousness and majesty one would expect from Bach at the height of his powers. As with other offerings from Cherry Classics, score and parts are clean with mostly logical page turns. We all owe Ralph Sauer a debt of gratitude for his industry in producing high quality arrangements for trombonists.