Review


Marco Bordogni
Melodious Etudes Volume 1:

Arranged by Joannes Rochut/Dr. Wade Goodwin

Bass trombone (or tuba)

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

Etude book. 71 pages.

Primary Genre: Study Material - etude

Wade Goodwin’s edition of Marco Bordogni’s vocalises respects Joannès Rochut’s legacy while increasing access and pedagogical value for those developing facility in the lower register. Donated for review by Cherry Classics, volume 1 matches the first thirty etudes of Rochut’s 1928 edition. Expanding on Richard Fote’s approach to Kopprasch, this edition transposes each of the vocalizes twice; a fifth and an octave lower, providing two versions of each etude. Although published as a work for bass trombone or tuba, it is of value for four-valve euphonium and trombonists with an F attachment, with only one low B-natural in etude No.28. Goodwin includes improved page layout over the original Carl Fisher engraving. Editorial decisions include the judicious use of enharmonic equivalences for chromatic passagework, the removal of suggested slide positions of etude twenty-one, and the inclusion of various courtesy accidentals to aid reading; although I would have preferred to see these in parentheses. This edition serves as a valuable resource for developing range, technical facility, and sound quality for all low brass musicians. It will help make this repertoire more accessible to the younger musician without the burden of having to transpose while developing lower register skills. This edition is a most welcome addition and will be of immense value for every trombone and low brass studio.

Reviewer: Peter Fielding
Review Published June 24, 2023