Review

Johann Sebastian Bach
Fugue in G minor from “Toccata” BWV 915:

Arranged by Ralph Sauer


Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Publisher: Cherry Classics Music
Date of Publication: 2006
URL: http://www.cherryclassics.com

Score and parts

Primary Genre: Trombone Ensembles - 8 trombones

This work, originally for organ, is a youthful work by the master. As such, the toccata lacks the formal structures and intensities of Bach’s later works, such as The Art of the Fugue. Rather, the music is fairly transparent, even in a setting for 6 tenor and 2 bass trombones. The flowing texture is due, at least in part, to the skillful manipulation of the lines by Ralph Sauer of the Los Angeles Philharmonic. On a cautionary note, however, Sauer leaves the dynamic framework of this four-minute piece up to the discretion of the performers, as an initial dynamic of forte in every part is never reduced. Even having maintained the trombone-friendly original key, there are still a great number of chromaticisms in every part. The first four parts are in tenor clef; trombone 5 states the opening subject. The range extends from CC for bass trombone to c2 in the first part. A free .pdf sample is available at www.Cherry-Classics.com.  

-Joel Elias
Sacramento State University