Review

Domenico Gabrieli
Ricercare:

Arranged by Remko de Jager


Coventry, , United Kingdom
Publisher: Warwick Music Publishers
Date of Publication: 2008
URL: http://www.warwickmusic.com

Primary Genre: Solo Tenor Trombone - unaccompanied

Domenico Gabrieli, apparently no relation to the famous Gabrielis of Venice, was one of the first cello virtuosi, having gained prominence as a member of the orchestra of the Basilica San Petronio in Bologna in the late 17th century. His Ricercare were written to literally research or seek out the key area of the music that followed them.    

This setting is a challenge of technique and endurance, given its numerous sixteenth note passages, fairly high tessitura, and lack of rest. The music, originally for cello, is presented here without double or triple stops and therefore loses some of its harmonic depth and Renaissance sensuality. Still, there is great rhythmic variety, melodic appeal, and well-edited markings that help delineate the different sections. This arrangement is pre-dated by a version from the mid-20th century by trombonist Davis Shuman, creator of the ergonomically correct angular trombone. Considered something of a pre-cursor to the Bach Cello Suites, Ricercare is definitely worthy of study and even performance in front of a somewhat forgiving audience. The music is written in tenor clef and ranges from g to c2.

-Joel Elias
Sacramento State University