Review

Hermann Fuss
25 Ernste und Religiöse Stücke für Posaunen Quartett :

Arranged by Gordon Cherry


Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Publisher: Cherry Classics Music
Date of Publication: 2005
URL: http://www.cherryclassics.com

Score and parts

Primary Genre: Trombone Ensembles - 4 trombones

Over forty years ago, Gordon Cherry discovered this delightful collection of trombone quartets in a little music shop in London. Originally published many years ago by Zimmerman Publishers of Frankfurt, Germany, Cherry recently received permission to republish them through Cherry Classics Music. This edition includes an introduction by Heinz Fadle, who was also exposed to the Fuss collection as a young trombonist, and a page of performance considerations by Mr. Cherry.

The 25 Ernste und Religiöse Stücke für Posaunen Quartett represent a valuable contribution to the quartet repertoire. The collection is divided into two sections. First, six well-known Lutheran chorales from the 16th and 17th centuries, including Ein’ Feste Burg, Von Himmel hoch, and Wachet Auf. The second section entitled Musik am Grabe (Music from the Grave) contains transcriptions of Renaissance works by Palestrina, Lasso, Isaac and Arcadelt; works by Handel and Bach from the Baroque era. It also includes Mozart’s Ave Verum Corpus and excerpts from a Schubert Mass.  

This collection could serve as an excellent teaching tool for a high school level quartet although advanced players will derive great enjoyment as well! It is an outstanding introduction to Renaissance and Baroque literature and provides opportunity to develop independence and basic ensemble skills. The first part is given in tenor clef and carries the weight of the melodic responsibility. It has a relatively high, yet accessible tessitura for an advanced intermediate player, never above b-flat1. The bass trombone part does not require a double-valve horn, but the double-valve will certainly ease performance of several of the transcriptions. While reading through this collection, one will uncover several errors in the parts. The edition could also be strengthened by the addition of measure numbers. Nonetheless the Fuss collection is a must buy for trombone teachers, one that will serve you well for years to come.

-Paul Overly
Bob Jones University