Review

Joannes Brahms
Two Chorale Preludes: from Opus 122

Arranged by Ralph Sauer

4 tenors (3 in tenor clef), 1 bass

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Publisher: Cherry Classics Music
Date of Publication: 2024
URL: http://www.cherryclassics.com

Score and parts

Primary Genre: Trombone Ensembles - 5 trombones

	
O Welt, ich muss dich lassen Op.122, No.3 F major Andante
 	
O Gott, du frommer Gott Op. 122, No.7 A minor Andante con moto

Brahms wrote these deeply serious pieces for organ in 1896 immediately after the death of Clara Schumann, and they were his last compositions, published posthumously in 1902. His choice of major and minor keys in these settings might seem paradoxical, the ‘Goodness of God’ celebrated in a minor key, and the ‘End of Life’ contemplated in a major key, but maybe this is not so strange when you think about Brahms’ relationship with Clara Schumann. As in medical diagnosis, the most important clues may sometimes lie not in what the patient is telling you, but in what they are not saying.

These arrangements are for four tenor trombones and one bass trombone. Parts 1-3 are in tenor clef, and 4 and 5 in bass clef. For the first piece, the tempo indication is Andante, the dynamic is mezzo forte, and all parts are marked dolce in m1. First trombone plays the chorale. The tempo indication for the second piece is Andante con moto. The dynamic is forte, but the parts are marked ma dolce (but tenderly). First, third, and fourth parts play the chorale. The overall ranges for first part are b - c2 & e-d2, and for second d - b-flat1 & d - a1. Bass Trombone covers AA - b-flat.

The spirit of Brahms is authentically represented in these well-crafted arrangements, and to play them well should be a gladdening experience.