Review

Franz Strauss
Nocturno Op. 7: for Trombone Solo and Orchestra

Arranged by Benjamin Coy


Vancouver, BC, Canada
Publisher: Cherry Classics Music
Date of Publication: 2021
URL: http://www.cherryclassics.com

Primary Genre: Solo Tenor Trombone - with orchestra

Instrumentation: Solo trombone, 2 flutes, oboe, 2 clarinets in B-flat, bassoon, 2 horns, 2 trumpets in B-flat, 2 trombones, bass trombone, violins 1 & 2, viola, ‘cello, double bass, timpani (4) D-flat/A-flat/F/B-flat, Susp. Cymbal/Bass Drum/triangle (21 parts).

This piece was originally written for horn and orchestra and first published in 1864. Given Herr Strauss’s reputed musical conservatism, it has a perhaps surprising number of accidentals in the solo part; there are few however in the accompanying parts. Stylistically it belongs firmly in the Romantic period and also has some clear echoes in the concerto that 18-year old Richard wrote for his father in 1882/3.

This arrangement is suitable for advanced players. It’s in the original key of D-flat and is marked Andante quasi Adagio, quarter = 60. The solo part is given throughout in bass clef; much of it lies well above the staff. Overall range is D-flat - d-flat2. Beginning with an expansive melody, rising to a-flat1 in its third measure, the soloist is supported by repeated 16th note figures played by upper strings and flutes. The solo part has notes lying above f1 in 41 measures, and 12 measures contain groups of 16th notes. Out of a total of 93 measures, there are 13 full measures of rest. The final four measures are marked pianissimo, ending with the soloist on low D-flat, and just seven other parts playing a D-flat chord spread over four and a half octaves.

Benjamin Coy studied with Jay Friedman and Michael Mulcahy and earned his doctorate at Ohio State University. He currently teaches privately in Columbus, Ohio.