Review

Johann Pezel
Three Dances:

Arranged by David R. Thomas

two trumpets, horn, and trombone with trombone sub for horn

Flemington, NJ, United States
Publisher: DFT Music
Date of Publication: 1993

Score and parts

Primary Genre: Brass Ensemble - 4 brass

This is a fine piece. It is scored for two trumpets, horn, and trombone with trombone sub for horn, which sounds quite good. It will work well with good high school players but should not be ignored by more advanced groups. There are no range problems. The Moderato Intrada, which is contrapuntal throughout, and Allegro Bal both provide challenging eighth and sixteenth note patterns that need close attention. Keeping tempo under control helps. In the first half of Sarabande the top three parts play harmonic patterns over a descending scale in the trombone and do the same on an ascending scale in the second half. Presentation is excellent.

-Mike Halverson
Minneapolis, MN