Review

Sergei Rachmaninoff
Prelude Op.3, No.2 "The Bells of Moscow":

Arranged by Kevin R. Dombrowski

Trombone Octet: eight trombones: 6 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

This arrangement represents a great labor and a sound shift from the piano to the massive sound of the trombone choir; I might almost say that with careful preparation and enough performers it could be said to approximate the sound of a huge organ, such as might only exist in one’s imagination. Indeed, when listening to the synthesized recording of the arrangement on the Cherry Classics web page I felt that the performance needed not eight, but perhaps 16 or even more trombones to build a large enough sound to do the music justice.

The arrangement succeeds at many levels, not least in the elimination of pianistic figuration which on the piano might be thought necessary to sustain the sound, such as the Agitato beginning in measure 14; Mr. Dombrowski has suppressed the eighth note triplets without, I feel, much musical sacrifice. There are, in this arrangement, some less appropriate additions to the score. Rachmaninoff wrote few tempo indications; Lento to begin, Agitato starting in bar 14, a return to Tempo 1 at bar 45. This arrangement contains many tempo alterations, like the più mosso to almost double the previous tempo at bar 14. The piano performance can reach that faster tempo and in the hands of a gifted pianist the transition can be much smoother and more gradual. My recommendation to conductors interested in performing this music, and it IS interesting to contemplate! is that they should judge the tempos based on listening to fine performances of the original… which should be an understood premise of any transcription performance, especially of such familiar music. It is not my purpose to criticize this arrangement – it is well done and worthwhile. Such abrupt transitions do not enhance the result. Good job, Mr. Dombrowski!