Review

Marin Marais
Le Basque:

Arranged by Vern Kagarice


Denton, TX, United States
Publisher: Kagarice Brass Editions
Date of Publication: 1998

Score and parts

Primary Genre: Trombone Ensembles - 4 trombones

Marin Marais (1656-1728) composed nearly 600 pieces for viol, which he published in 5 volumes. Many of them are highly colourful and descriptive. Le Basque comes from the Suite in A major in Book 4, published in Paris in 1717. It was a favourite encore of the great horn player Dennis Brain, and in recent years a variety of transcriptions have appeared. Although one of Marais’ easier pieces, his slightly outré style is still evident. It’s a lively dance in duple time based on simple repeated sequential patterns. This arrangement, which is in B-flat, is fun to play and not too difficult. Indeed, it is an excellent encore piece for trombone quartet. First and second parts share the melodic action, third gets the recurring off-beat ictus. Range extends from AA (4th) to bflat1 (1st & 2nd). No problems with production.

-Keith Davies Jones
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada