Review

Don Carlo Gesualdo
Ave Dulcisima Maria:

Arranged by J. Scott Mousseau


, United States
Publisher: Wehr's Music House
Date of Publication: 2003
URL: http://www.wehrs-music-house.com

Primary Genre: Trombone Ensembles - 5 trombones

Carlo Gesualdo was an Italian composer of madrigals and sacred works during the late Renaissance. Most of his later compositions were written in quite an unusual style; this work is no exception. It does not breach the typical collegiate trombone player’s range, extending no further than pedal BB-flat in the bass trombone part and peaking at a1 in the first trombone part. The top two parts are given in tenor clef. The ability to balance and blend is of utmost importance here as no dynamics markings are indicated. I find that this piece brings to light intonation problems; therefore an analysis of individual chords may be necessary to determine the tendencies of certain pitches in them. While this version of Ave Dulcisima Maria works well for trombones, it may discourage young trombonists who aren’t familiar with Gesualdo’s unconventional homophony. Then again, if your group is bored with playing Gabrieli and you are looking for something out-of-the-ordinary, consider this piece.

-Tom Pylinski
Malone University, Canton, OH