Review

Johannes Brahms
Intermezzo, Op. 118 No. 2:

Arranged by Kevin R. Dombrowski

2 tenor trombones, bass trombone, tuba

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

Score and parts

Primary Genre: Brass Ensemble - 4 brass
Secondary Genre: Trombone Ensembles - 4 trombones

Originally composed for solo piano, Brahms’s Intermezzo, Op. 118, No. 2 is familiar even to the
casual classical listener. Written for Clara Schumann, the work features a flowing, lyrical melody
and rich expressive depth. Trombonist and arranger Kevin Dombrowski has skillfully adapted
this beloved piece into a quartet for the standard orchestral low brass section—two tenor
trombones, bass trombone, and tuba.

Though readily approachable for advanced college musicians, the arrangement reveals its true
depth through refined attention to phrasing and ensemble sensitivity. In the original piano
version, a single performer conveys the shifting emotional landscape; in this quartet version,
achieving comparable nuance requires precise communication and a shared understanding of
Brahms’s style among all players. With the tempo marked only Andante teneramente (tenderly),
the expressive flexibility and subtle rubato that define the piece are left entirely to the
performers’ discretion.

Each part is written entirely in bass clef and offers moments for each performer to lead.
Dombrowski passes important melodic material between parts in a way that sounds natural and
unforced. This arrangement would serve beautifully in a recital by a professional orchestral low
brass section, or for an advanced college section working on phrasing, blend, and
communication. It could also be effectively performed in a low brass choir setting with a
conductor guiding the musical interpretation.

Intermezzo, OP. 118 No. 2 was donated for review by Cherry Classics Music and is available at
www.CherryClassics.com.  Written-pitch instrument range: trombones: E-flat to b-flat1, tuba:
AA-flat to a-flat.