Review

Antonin Dvorák
White Flowers Along the Road: from the opera Rusalka

Arranged by Marc S. Williams

8 tenors (2 in tenor clef), 2 basses

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

Score and parts

Primary Genre: Trombone Ensembles - 9+ trombones (choir)

White Flowers Along the Road is adapted from Kvetiny bile po ceste, a song in Act 2 of Antonin Dvořák’s opera Rusalka. Marc S. Williams arranged this piece for a trombone choir of eight tenor and two bass trombones. The first and third parts are written in tenor clef and overall the work’s range goes from GG to c2. Perfect for a collegiate trombone choir, the arrangement is scored at a moderate tempo with large dynamic contrasts and sudden stylistic jumps between legato and staccato, making it engaging for performers and audience alike. The composition opens with a fanfare introduction, mimicking the orchestral brass section that opens in its original opera setting. Afterwards, the upper trombone voices take over the vocal melodies and Williams exchanges the melodic line between the different parts, giving each part value. White Flowers Along the Road is three minutes in length, making it a wise choice to program as an engaging opener of a concert. Williams crafts Dvořák’s memorable melody with the power of ten trombones (or more!) to bring this operatic arrangement to life.