Review

David Fetter
Variations on Palestrina's "Dona Nobis Pacem":

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Publisher: Cherry Classics Music
Date of Publication: 1977 / 2024
URL: http://www.cherryclassics.com

Score

Primary Genre: Solo Tenor Trombone - unaccompanied

David Fetter has composed a fantastic unaccompanied solo, available in versions for both tenor and bass trombone. Fetter employs the relatively familiar melody “Dona Nobis Pacem” –a phrase meaning "Grant Us Peace” –attributed to Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina. He takes this original lyrical theme through a myriad of variations to beautiful effect.

Although the original melody is relatively simple, the variations in this work demand an advanced player’s skill level. Several variations feature a cello-like writing style reminiscent of Bach’s unaccompanied cello suites, which are frequently performed by trombonists. Accordingly, the solo presents similar challenges, requiring the performer to demonstrate a highly developed legato technique for connecting wide intervals fluidly, as well as technical precision in faster passages.

This is a wonderful solo that could complement any graduate or professional recital while remaining accessible to advanced undergraduates. This review covers two versions of the piece, with the only difference being that the bass trombone version is in E-flat major, while the tenor trombone version is transposed up a major third to G major and notated in both tenor and bass clefs. The higher tessitura complements the tenor trombone beautifully, although a tenor trombonist could easily play the bass trombone version if preferred.

Variations on Palestrina’s “Dona Nobis Pacem” was donated for review by Cherry Classics Music and is available at www.CherryClassics.com.  Written-pitch instrument ranges: tenor trombone version – F-sharp to c2, bass trombone version – D to a-flat1.