Review

Gustav Mahler
Choral Excerpt from Finale of Symphony No. 2:

Arranged by David Fetter

7 tenors, 1 bass

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Publisher: Cherry Classics Music
Date of Publication: 2023
URL: http://www.cherryclassics.com

Primary Genre: Trombone Ensembles - 8 trombones

As the publisher points out on his website, “this is not the famous Trombone Choral, rather the hushed, whispered section featuring the chorus”. The initial tempo indication is Slowly, mysterioso, and it is marked throughout at a quiet dynamic; the initial indication is ppp ; the highest level is mf marked in the upper parts in mm. 31-37 and in Trombone 5 in mm. 69-72.

For the last ten measures, except for two measures in the 2nd part marked pp, all parts are ppp, with a diminuendo in the last three measures where only six parts are playing. This passage is magically beautiful; it will take great breath control to maintain the necessary balance and dynamic, and experienced players will be called for on all parts.

All parts are given in bass clef. The key is G-flat: 1st part tops out at d-flat2, 2nd, 3rd and 4th at b-flat1, 5th and 6th at g-flat1. Tbn. 7 goes down to G and Tbn. 8 to AA-flat. There is no indication that either part is intended for bass trombone, though both lie comfortably within its range, and I think that what is needed most is an as near as possible absolute homogeneity of tone.

David Fetter played trombone in the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra from 1970 to 1986 and taught at the Peabody Conservatory in Baltimore. He now devotes his time to composing and conducting.