Review

Malcolm Forsyth
Bachianas Capensis:

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Publisher: Cherry Classics Music
Date of Publication: 1966 / 2004
URL: http://www.cherryclassics.com

Score and parts

Primary Genre: Trombone Ensembles - 3 trombones

This Bach-inspired three-voiced fugue, donated for review by distributor Cherry Classics Music, is scored for alto, tenor, and bass trombone. A former trombonist for the Cape Town Symphony Orchestra and Canada’s composer of the year in 1989, this early work demonstrates Forsyth’s comfort with the trombone and his foresight to include substitute parts for other brass instruments to suit a wide assortment of trio and small brass ensemble performing forces. While each part is printed in their respective alto, tenor, and bass clefs, the range demands for the highest and lowest parts are modest and can be covered by a tenor trombonist, especially as suggested octave divisi passages are included. Substitute parts are provided for B-flat trumpet (alto) and horn (alto and tenor). In addition to accessibility for use with trombones or mixed brass, the alternate parts can be used in studio lessons to help teach students how to read B-flat and F treble clef transpositions.

-Peter Fielding
36 Canadian Brigade Group (Nova Scotia) Band