Review

Giovanni Gabrieli
Omnes Gentes Plaudite:

Arranged by Russel McKinney


Vancouver, BC, Canada
Publisher: Cherry Classics Music
Date of Publication: 2014
URL: http://www.cherryclassics.com

Score and parts

Primary Genre: Trombone Ensembles - 9+ trombones (choir)

Russel McKinney transcribed this well-known vocal motet for four trombone quartet choirs. It necessitates at least three bass trombones but might ideally be performed with four along with an alto trombone in the first choir. On many occasions the lowest two bass trombone parts descend to EE-flat, while the highest ones ascend no further than c2.
 
Due to the intense polyphonic writing in all the parts, this transcription is probably not well suited to inexperienced players. There are many independent entrances on unaccented beats, isolated syncopations, and interlocking rhythms even between the parts of each choir. However, it would be difficult to find a more beautiful masterpiece of polychoral stereophonic writing. Except for being transposed a fifth lower, this transcription follows the original choral version measure for measure. Each choir gets its opportunity to lead with the main melodic material.
 
As we have come to expect from Cherry Classics Music, score and parts are carefully edited and well formatted. With the appropriate musical forces and performance space, Omnes Gentes Plaudite is sure to be a crowd pleaser!

-Greg Strohman
Dickinson College