Review

Johannes Brahms
Begräbnisgesang (Funeral Song) Op.13:

Arranged by Gregory Campbell

for large trombone choir and timpani

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

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

Written almost a decade before his German Requiem, Brahms originally scored this work for winds (2 oboes, 2 clarinets, 2 bassoons, 2 horns, 3 trombones, tuba, timpani) and SATB chorus. Mr. Campbell gives us a spectacular arrangement for trombone choir! Scored for 11 parts in two choirs (9 tenors, 2 basses), you’ll need at least 15 players to play all the written notes (11 tenors, 4 basses). The “choral parts” are in trombones 6, 7, 8, and bass trombone 2. Separation of the choirs is encouraged if performance space permits. Tenor clef is seen in parts 1, 2, 4, 5, 6. Range extends from AA–b1. This range, coupled with the Funeral march tempo, sustained notes and dynamic extremes, may create endurance challenges for less experienced/mature groups. Also, trombone 1, 2, and bass trombone 1 parts require some ‘heavy lifting” in the sense that they involve more technical playing (triplet rhythms). For this work, Brahms set the hymn text “Now Let Us Bury the Body,” penned by pastor Michael Weiße (1488-1534). Please consider having the text available for the performance. This powerful work will be the highlight of any concert.  

-Michael Davidson
The University of Kansas