Review

August Kühnel
Echoserenade:

Arranged by Jörg Richter

2 tenors (alto sub., 1 in tenor clef), 1 bass

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Publisher: Cherry Classics Music
Date of Publication: 2024
URL: http://www.cherryclassics.com

Score and parts

Primary Genre: Trombone Ensembles - 3 trombones

August Kühnel (1645-ca. 1700) was a German court composer and viola da gambist. While Cherry Classics describes this piece as a Renaissance work, the six movements arranged here for trombone trio come from a Baroque dance suite or partita. The six movements are titled Intrata, Aria, Praludium, Echo, Sarabande, and Giga and were passed down to the arranger from his teacher.  It is thought that this arrangement was taken from a setting with three celli.

An alternate alto clef part is included for the top voice.  The range in the top part includes a modest upper register topping out at a1 with just a few instances of b-flat1.  Although an alto trombone is not necessary for range, the color of an alto trombone would provide a characteristic lightness for each movement.

As the title suggests, each movement uses only forte and piano dynamics in strict alternation to create an echo effect.  The top two parts are almost exclusively homorhythmic while the lower voice serves as the continuo.  The fifth movement, Sarabande, poses the biggest challenge from an endurance standpoint due to sustained phrases over a poco adagio tempo.  This movement also includes a repeat, which could be taken into consideration. Movements one, two, and six include multi sectional repeats as well.  This arrangement is a fine addition of early music and would serve as a great option for a young chamber group working on intonation and style.