Review

Samuel Cohen
Hatikva:

Arranged by Jörg Richter

3 tenors, 1 bass

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

Score and parts

Primary Genre: Trombone Ensembles - 4 trombones

Hatikva, meaning "The Hope," is the national anthem of the State of Israel. Its melody was adapted by Samuel Cohen in 1888 from a Romanian folk tune. Jörg Richter's arrangement for trombone quartet presents this tune in a mostly homophonic setting, allowing its lyrical character to come through in a chorale-style texture and is particularly well suited to trombone choir.

The arrangement is accessible to a wide range of ensembles. All four parts are written in bass clef. The first trombone climbs to g1, with an optional b-flat1 offered as an alternative, while the fourth part descends to C, making it playable on a tenor trombone with an F-attachment, though the part is ideally suited to bass trombone. Any college-level ensemble, and even an advanced high school group, should be able to manage this piece without difficulty. While intended for quartet, it is easily adapted to larger ensembles with doubled parts.

The parts and score are clean and clearly presented. Richter's Hatikva is a beautiful setting of a beautiful melody that, while likely intended primarily for ceremonial use, is versatile enough for recitals, concerts, or simply reading through with friends. This arrangement is a welcome addition to the trombone quartet literature.