Review

Jacob Arcadelt, Pierre Certon and Pierre Sandrin
Three Renaissance Chansons:

Arranged by Karl Hinterbichler


Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Publisher: Cherry Classics Music
Date of Publication: 2008
URL: http://www.cherryclassics.com

Score and parts

Primary Genre: Trombone Ensembles - 4 trombones

These are contrasted selections by French composers active in the mid-16th century. La, la, la (I shouldn’t tell) is a gossip song, mocking a cuckold, behind his back of course; Doulce memoire is a simple and timeless song telling of a passionate love that is now only a bittersweet memory, Doulce mémoire en plaisir consommée. Arcadelt (c.1507-1568) was one of the earliest and most influential madrigalists. Margot tend the vines is a patter song sung by a friend who has things other than viticulture on her mind, such as finding a prince who would like to marry her.

These 4-part chansons translate well into the trombone quartet idiom and provide opportunity by turn for lively and expressive playing. Doulce memoire is written with alternating homophonic and polyphonic textures and is quite beautiful. The level of difficulty is moderate; range for 1st part is f- c2; 4th part covers C-c1.

-Keith Davies Jones
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada