Review

Pytor Ilych Tchaikovsky
Tchaikovsky Fantasy:

Arranged by Kevin R. Dombrowski

6 tenors (2 in tenor clef), 2 basses

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Publisher: Cherry Classics Music
Date of Publication: 2025
URL: http://www.cherryclassics.com

Score and parts

Primary Genre: Trombone Ensembles - 8 trombones

Tchaikovsky Fantasy is a medley drawing on excerpts from several of the composer's most famous works arranged for eight-part trombone ensemble. This includes his Symphony No. 6 ("Pathétique"), The Nutcracker, String Quartet No. 1, Romeo and Juliet, the “Finale” of Symphony No. 5,1812 Overture, and the “Finale” of Symphony No. 4. Dombrowski's arrangement moves briskly between these excerpts, most of which last only a few measures measures, giving the piece the feel of a whirlwind tour through Tchaikovsky's greatest hits. There is a playful, almost tongue-in-cheek quality to some of the transitions that adds a welcome sense of humor to the arrangement.

Scored for six tenor and two bass trombones, the ensemble writing is often dense. The first and second parts are written in tenor clef, with the first trombone reaching up to c2, while the second bass trombone part descends to GG-sharp. Given the thickness of the scoring and the number of rapid textural and stylistic shifts, this arrangement is best suited to an intermediate to advanced college-level ensemble rather than a less-experienced group.

Despite its technical demands, Tchaikovsky Fantasy is an entertaining and versatile piece that should prove to be a favorite of audiences in nearly any performance setting.