Review

Hector Berlioz
Oraison funèbre: from Grande symphonie funèbre et triomphale, Op.15

Arranged by Jonathan Caldwell

Solo trombone and wind ensemble

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

Score and parts.

Primary Genre: Solo Tenor Trombone - with band

This is the second movement of the Symphonie Funèbre et Triomphale which Berlioz wrote in 1840 for celebrations of the tenth anniversary of the French Revolution, borrowing music from his earlier unperformed opera Les Francs-Juges. It is presented in the form of recitative, aria and arioso and is one of the most famous solos written for the trombone, but few will have a chance to play it in its original setting. This arrangement makes it accessible to many more. Scoring is for solo trombone, flute, 2 oboes, 2 clarinets in B-flat, 2 bassoons, 2 F horns, 2 C trumpets and (ensemble) trombone. It is imaginatively scored and the full ensemble is used sparingly, notably in the first eight measures. The solo part, marked Col carattere di recitativo, is quite demanding, and is suitable for advanced performers. It is given in bass clef; overall range B-b. There are 19 rest measures out of a total 108. The ensemble trombone part, also in bass clef, covers D-sharp-d¹, well suited for bass trombone. Trumpet parts are in C; first tops out at e². Tempo indications are Adagio non tanto and Andantino, both at quarter = 80 and Andantino poco lento e sostenuto at quarter = 72, comfortably matching the normal human pulse rate. In the final two  measures, all parts are marked ppp, calling for exquisite breath control. Jonathan Caldwell holds the DMA degree from the University of Michigan and is currently on faculty at the University of North Carolina in Greensboro.