Review

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Sonata in B-flat K.292:

Arranged by Ralph Sauer


Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Publisher: Cherry Classics Music
Date of Publication: 2010
URL: http://www.cherryclassics.com

Parts only

Primary Genre: Trombone Ensembles - 2 trombones

Ralph Sauer’s transcription of Mozart’s Sonata in B-flat K.292 for two trombones is a delightful duo that maintains Mozart’s original conception of the work. It is debated whether this 1775 composition was written for bassoon and cello or for two bassoons; suffice to say it can be performed by a multitude of instruments and trombone is no exception. It is a three movement piece with most of the melodic material in the first trombone (bassoon) part and the accompanying broken chords in the second trombone (cello/bassoon) part. Movements occur in a typical fast-slow-fast order and without repeats take about ten minutes to perform. It is worth mentioning that the repeats in the first and second movements are optional, and are included simply to retain the traditional sonata form of the work. To repeat these sections in each movement would be extremely fatiguing to trombonists. A study of Sonata in B-flat K.292 would be helpful in reinforcing a student’s knowledge of classical phrasing, light playing, e.g. not punching the accents, and blending. The parts are neatly laid out, easy to read and without awkward page turns. Both parts are in bass clef and the work ranges from C in the second part to g1 in the first. An F-attachment is necessary to play the second trombone part. You may purchase a hard copy of the work or have a PDF file sent to your computer by visiting the Cherry Classics website. Please note that a score is not included.

-Tom Pylinski
Malone University