Review

Andrea Gabrieli
Angeli, Archangeli:

Arranged by Fabio Rovere

1 alto, 2 tenors (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 - 4 trombones

Italian trombonist and composer, Fabio Rovere, expertly arranges Andrea Gabrieli’s sacred vocal motet Angeli, Archangeli for trombone quartet. It is written for one alto trombone, two tenors, and one bass. The range of the piece goes from E in the bass trombone to c2 in the alto part. It is feasible for the first trombonist to perform it on a tenor trombone if the proper equipment is inaccessible. This quartet provides musical representation from the late Renaissance era and is a superb way of including sacred chamber music on a recital. Rovere writes in a period accurate way and eliminates any indication of dynamics. It is up to the performers to deduce which textures to bring out and how to phrase in the Renaissance style. This in combination with the clefs makes Rovere’s arrangement an exercise in scholarly trombone practice and I would recommend it for developing college students and professionals alike.