Review

Anonymous
Süßer die Glocken nie klingen:

Arranged by Eberhard Michaely


Rottenburg, , Germany
Publisher: Advance Music
Date of Publication: 2006

Performing scores

Primary Genre: Trombone Ensembles - 2 trombones

Part of the Advance Music “Holiday Celebration Series,” this work is a Latin-inspired arrangement of a traditional German Christmas carol. It is suitable for young or intermediate trombonists with substantial help from a teacher or coach. While well-engraved and written in a reasonable range for most high school students, G-g1, there are no dynamic or other interpretive markings given. As this piece is geared towards younger trombonists without a lot of interpretive skills, it would be helpful to have something more than a few articulations and the notes on the page. This is particularly important in light of the repetitive nature of the bass line and a concentration of interest in the top part. There are also some odd note choices for the second trombone in measures 9 and 48, and perhaps an accidental missing from the first trombone part on the downbeat of bar 63. The most interesting section of this arrangement is the middle of the piece; quite nice writing is found there. The overall “pop feel” might make it more appealing to young players, particularly to those familiar with this German carol.

-Chris Buckholz
University of Northern Iowa