Review

Johann Mattheson
Fantasie and Air Variations from Suite No. 5: for 4-part Trombone Ensemble

Arranged by Kevin R. Dombrowski

3 tenors (one in tenor clef), 1 bass

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

Score and parts

Primary Genre: Trombone Ensembles - 4 trombones

Johann Mattheson (1681-1764) was German composer and contemporary of Bach and Handel who was primarily a music theorist, composer, and later a diplomat. This arrangement is from one in a series of works for harpsichord probably written before 1714. The Fantasie and Air Variations is part of the Suite No. 5 for harpsichord and a nice addition to quartet material for younger players. It includes the opening Fantasie and an Air and two doubles or variations from the Suite. The arranger has chosen to transpose these movements down an octave to fit the trombone register. While this does make the work easier and more accessible in the tenor trombone parts, it presents some awkwardly low lines in the bass trombone part, particularly in the Air, which descends to pedal F on some occasions and perhaps does not fit the lighter character of the original. Rewriting the bass line up an octave could easily be done in a few spots and would better preserve the style. 

The Fantasie is a simple imitative invention in 3/8 with running 16ths passing between parts. The Air is in the style of the simple lyric arias of Handel. This is followed by a variation or double in which the top three parts play a simple harmonized version of the melody in separated staccato notes above a tricky running 8th note bass line. Finding a place to breathe for the bass trombonist might be difficult. However, there are a few moments the bass line is doubled in the upper parts and a note could be left out for a breath without affecting the scoring. The final double beautifully passes the melody between the first and second trombone parts with some simple embellishments over a basic bass line, with a complimentary obbligato in the third trombone. 

I value how the arranger has given all parts interesting and occasionally challenging moments throughout. A few small adjustments would make this is a very effective and playable arrangement for intermediate players. Range FF to g1. Grade 3-4.