Review

Franz Gruber
Silent Night:

Arranged by Les Benedict


Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Publisher: Cherry Classics Music
Date of Publication: 2011
URL: http://www.cherryclassics.com

Primary Genre: Trombone Ensembles - 8 trombones

Les Benedict breathes new life into Gruber’s classic Silent Night. Scored for trombone octet, this arrangement features a lyrical solo trombone with engaging trombone choir parts. Inspired by Dave Steinmeyer and the Airmen of Note, this arrangement requires  high level playing skills to do it justice. Donated for review by Cherry Classics, excerpts of the score and parts, as well as a link to a youtube recording, are available at www.CherryClassics.com. 

In this arrangement, the soloist ascends to b-flat2. An optional lower line reduces the range requirements to e-flat2. If the optional lower part is taken, the chords are tastefully re-voiced in the accompaniment. While trombones two through six ascend to g1 through c-sharp2, I would want a strong player on the sixth part, which features great independent writing. While trombone seven is fairly conservative and could be played on either a straight tenor or bass trombone, its rhythmic passages keep things interesting. The bass trombone part descends to AA and offers stability for the rest of the ensemble. 

This arrangement will definitely please a wide range of audiences. It will be a nice addition to any program featuring a strong trombone ensemble, whether in the concert hall or outdoor bandstand.

-Peter Fielding
Mahidol University