Review

Johann Sebastian Bach
Six Choral Preludes :

Arranged by Ivaylo Hristov


Sofia, , Bulgaria
Publisher: Edition Elm
Date of Publication: 2001

Score and parts

Primary Genre: Trombone Ensembles - 4 trombones

1. Alle Menschen müssen sterben   *BWV 643
2. Wir glauben all’ an einen Gott   §BWV 680
3. Jesu meine Freude  *BWV 610
4. Christum wir sollen loben schon  BWV 696
5. Meine Seele erhebt den Herren  †BWV 648
6. Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme  †BWV 645

These excellent transcriptions are chorale preludes composed for organ between 1708 and 1749, drawn from the Orgelbüchlein*, the Schibler set† and the Clavier-Übung§. Scoring is for alto, two tenor trombones and bass, except No.5, which is for two altos, tenor, and bass. Ranges are g-f2 (alto 1), e-flat–d2 (tenor1/alto 2), A–a1 (tenor 2), C-d1 (bass). These preludes cover a wide stylistic and expressive range. Not all the parts are of equal difficulty; the arrangements are well suited to a student ensemble. In the Orgelbüchlein chorales Alle Menschen and Jesu meine Freude, the cantus is on alto and the tenors have elaborate accompanying parts. Christum wir is a fughetta; the joyful Meine Seele (Magnificat) and fugal Wir glauben (Credo) are contrapuntally the most complex. In Wachet auf, first and second tenors play the easy chorale part; the obbligato is a considerable tour de force (Glanzleistung) for alto, topping out with a high f2. The bass part is of moderate difficulty throughout. All six chorales could be performed as a single suite, but they are not connected liturgically, and can of course be played as separate selections. The edition is of high quality, and parts are of exemplary clarity. 

Ivaylo Hristov is bass trombonist with the Sofia Philharmonic. His arrangements for trombone ensemble are extensively published by Kagarice Brass Editions. He founded Edition Elm in 1999 with the objective of promoting the work of Bulgarian composers. 

-Keith Davies Jones
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada