Review

Marco Bordogni
The Bordogni Vocalises, 36 Vocalises Volume 6:

Arranged by David Schwartz


Belmont, MA, United States
Publisher: David Schwartz
Date of Publication: 2003

Solo part (bass clef) plus compact disc accompaniment. Belmont, MA: David Schwartz, 2003.

Primary Genre: Study Material - etude

Volumes 1-5 in this series have been reviewed previously in ITAJ volumes 31/1 to 34/4. Volume 6 contains the most advanced exercises, including numbers 74-109 in the Rochut Schirmer Edition, Books 2 & 3.

One of the strong points of this edition is its ‘authenticity,’ but these are after all, vocal exercises. Rochut used some discretion in adapting them for trombone, an example being omission of trills that are quite impractical on the trombone; Schwartz keeps them, but offers no suggestion as to how they might be executed. 

The unique feature, however, is the compact disc. Previous reviewers have commented on the difficulty of playing the often florid bel canto with the synthesized accompaniments, and on their clunky unmusicality. Certainly some will find this to be something of a relentless mechanical demon. It is particularly taxing when encountering directions such as animato un poco and rallentando. Previous reviewers have also commented on legibility; many of the notes are small and anyone of my age will have difficulty reading them. Clearly this edition is intended for a younger generation for whom the technology will probably be less intimidating than it is for the older reviewer! Unfortunately, it is possible I suppose that within the next ten years, the technology will also become obsolete.

David Schwartz plays in the Arlington Philharmonic Orchestra and describes himself as a ‘full time amateur trombonist.’ He has obviously devoted much time to this project. These etudes are restricted to the range of the tenor voice, and generally avoid large intervals. Their greatest value is in development of a legato singing style in the middle to upper register. The goal of every musician is to play beautifully, even in the most difficult and demanding repertoire; and if working with this material will help anyone to achieve that, the effort has been well worthwhile. 

-Keith Davies Jones
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada