Review

Gustav Mahler
Symphony No.2 : Finale Culmination

Arranged by David Fetter

6 tenors, 2 basses

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Publisher: Cherry Classics Music
Date of Publication: 2017 / 2024
URL: http://www.cherryclassics.com

Score and parts

Primary Genre: Trombone Ensembles - 8 trombones

Mahler's Symphony No. 2, known as the "Resurrection" Symphony, was completed in 1894. Its massive finale brings together themes heard throughout the symphony before building to one of the most powerful conclusions in the orchestral repertoire. David Fetter’s arrangement is of the section from rehearsal 42 to the end of the symphony. It captures the essence of that final, apocalyptic buildup, offering a trombone ensemble setting an opportunity to perform one of the great masterpieces of the orchestral repertoire without needing a full orchestra, chorus, and soloists around them.

Fetter’s arrangement is scored for six tenor and two bass trombones, with all the parts written on bass clef. The first trombone climbs to c2, while the lowest bass trombone part descends to GG. While the arrangement is not technically the most demanding, stamina will be a significant challenge. There is significant sustained loud playing across the full ensemble, often in extreme registers for the highest and lower parts.

That said, most college-level ensembles should be able to perform this without too much difficulty. The harmonic writing is rich, and the intensity of the ending makes this an excellent crowd pleaser for any trombone ensemble concert.