Review

Richard Strauss
Excerpts from Eine Alpensinfonie:

Arranged by Randall Malmstrom

8-part Trombone Ensemble: 1 alto, 5 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 - 8 trombones

The ‘Alpine Symphony,’ composed in 1913, is a 50-minute work scored for 150 players, and is Strauss’ last ‘tone poem.’ This arrangement for alto trombone, five tenor trombones and two bass trombones does not attempt to reproduce the program of the original work, nor to include all its major themes. The original key of B-flat minor is preserved.

It begins with ‘Night,’ played by alto trombone, followed by ‘Mountain Theme’ in m8. In m29, tenor trombone 3 plays ‘Sunrise.’ Bass trombone 4 introduces the ‘First Ascent’ in m71. Night falls again at m88, the theme played again by alto trombone, which continues into a reprise of the ‘Mountain Theme’ at m98, topping out on a D major chord marked piano and spread over four octaves, DD (8th) - d² (1st, alto), which is the overall range for the ensemble. The piece ends on a tutti chord of B-flat minor, the alto trombone playing a low B-flat.

All players in this well-crafted arrangement have interesting parts; its range of difficulty is appropriate for a student level ensemble. This is a great opportunity for the alto trombone to shine. The highest note for any tenor trombone is d², for Trombone 5 in m25. The tutti ensemble is used sparingly, mostly in the last nine measures, which are marked piano and pianissimo. Parts are arranged in the score in two groups of four, suggesting some spatial separation might be intended.

Randall Malmstrom lives in Portland, Oregon. He has penned 26 arrangements for 8-part trombone ensemble currently available from this publisher.