Review

Various
Arias:

Arranged by J. Ausfahl


Teaneck, NJ, United States
Publisher: Puna Music Company
Date of Publication: 1999

Primary Genre: Solo Bass/Contrabass Trombone - unaccompanied

This is a collection of 25 operatic and oratorio arias by Mozart, Handel, Verdi, Haydn, Vivaldi, Purcell and Meyerbeer. With a few exceptions most of the arias presented in this collection are not particularly well known. They are not presented in any sort of chronological manner but rather in order of presumed difficulty, such as one would encounter in an etude book, which is essentially how the collection functions. Aside from tempo indications and phrase lines, few other performance indications are given, so that the performer is challenged to provide personalized interpretation.

The arranger’s stated goal is the “development of legato style… and breath control,” somewhat in the same manner as the transcriptions of Bordogni and Concone vocalise for low brass instruments. Aside from the intrinsic value of playing the music of great composers, these arias provide musical challenges to students of instruments that generally don’t get such melodic material. The tessitura and overall character of most of the material suggests the editor probably had tuba more in mind. However, the bass trombonist who possesses a modern double valve instrument will derive considerable benefit from this collection. It should be noted that there is no piano accompaniment currently provided by the publisher, and since the editor has taken some license in adapting these works to the range and technical capabilities of these instruments it is somewhat difficult to perform these as anything more than etudes. The material is presented in clear print with no awkward page turns, on good quality paper with adequate binding.

-Wayne Groves
Orquesta Sinfónica de Aguascalientes