Review

Enrique Granados
Spanish Dance No.2:

Arranged by Karl Hinterbichler


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Publisher: Wehr's Music House
Date of Publication: 2010
URL: http://www.wehrs-music-house.com

Primary Genre: Solo Tenor Trombone - with piano

The Spanish Dance No.2, subtitled “Oriental,” comes from the twelve Spanish Dances Op.37 for piano by Enrique Granados (1867-1916). Composed in 1890, these dances were one of his first successes as a composer and have since been transcribed for guitar and orchestra.

The “Oriental” is moderately slow in ABA’ form. The A sections are in 3/4 meter and require plenty of control throughout the soft descending melodic phrases. The B section features a substantial number of grace notes and dynamic contrasts in a slow 6/8 meter. The trombone part is given entirely in tenor clef with modest range requirements, d-a1. This is a beautiful piece of music that will sound quite good in capable hands. One complaint: the biographic notes on the back cover, while interesting, make no mention of the Spanish Dances. Instead, space is given to a different piece for solo piano, Goyescas (1911), and it gives the impression that the “Oriental” is a part of that work instead of the earlier suite.   

Dr. Hinterbichler has found a wonderful piece to transcribe for trombone. Range, tempo, and key make it approachable for young collegiate players while the beauty and expressive nature of the work make it an excellent choice for a graduate or even faculty recital.

-Eric High
St. Norbert College