Review

Robert Schumann
Feierlich: from Symphony No.3, "Rhenish" 4th Movement

Arranged by Randall Malmstrom

Trombone Choir: trombone septet: 7 trombones: 5 tenor, 2 bass, optional contrabass trombone

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Publisher: Cherry Classics Music
Date of Publication: 2022
URL: http://www.cherryclassics.com

Score and parts.

Primary Genre: Trombone Ensembles - 7 trombones

This movement was originally subtitled “In the style of an accompaniment to a solemn ceremony,” and is known to have been inspired by a ceremony at Cologne Cathedral in the year of its composition, 1850. The arrangement comprises seven parts, 1 alto or tenor, four tenor and two bass trombones, optional contra-bass trombone on seventh part, and is appropriate for advanced performers. It is in its familiar key, with a signature of three flats although much of the movement, including the final chord, is in E-flat minor, originally D-sharp minor. First part, e-flat-e-flat² is given in alto clef. Alto trombone is not specified but would be appropriately used here, being the composer’s intended instrument. Parts 2, 3 and 5 are in tenor clef, parts 4 and 7 in bass. Trombone 7 goes down to FF.

No specific tempo indication is given for this movement; the initial marking is Feierlich (Solemn). In a selection of recorded performances, it takes anything from five to eight minutes to perform. The choice of tempo may depend much on the intended performance space. The playing time of 6:30 given above is taken from the publisher’s web-site. This is music of great beauty and this arrangement is a welcome addition to our repertoire.