Review

Thomas Luis Victoria
Ave Maria:

Arranged by Karl Hinterbichler


Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Publisher: Cherry Classics Music
Date of Publication: 2007
URL: http://www.cherryclassics.com

Score and parts

Primary Genre: Trombone Ensembles - 8 trombones

Professor Karl Hinterbichler’s scholarly transcription is a tasteful choice of a lovely double–choir antiphonal piece, originally issued in Venice, 1572, imported into trombone ensemble repertoire. Tomás Luis de Victoria (1548–1611) was a Spanish composer of the late Renaissance period. He was the most famous composer of the 16th century in Spain, and one of the most important composers of the Counter-Reformation, along with Palestrina and Orlando de Lassus.

From the first chord (even of a midi version, as suggested in the vendor’s site) the music creates the solemn ecclesiastical atmosphere of grandeur and glory, as associated with the brass music of Gabrieli. The harmonies and structure are Renaissance with beautiful soaring melodies. Difficulty is moderate. The tenor trombone parts are given in tenor clef with bass clef optional parts, and the highest notes are b1 for the 1st parts. Bass trombone parts go down to pedal AA; no low BB’s – single valve user-friendly.

The music keeps to a basic antiphonal form, though some phrases use fewer players from both choirs together, which creates more diversity in texture. There are only a few meter changes to negotiate. Physical separation of the choirs significantly enhances the antiphonal effect of the music. This piece will bring spiritual uplifting to any trombone ensemble program.

-Eliezer Aharoni
Jerusalem, Israel