Review

Johannes Brahms
Adagio from Rhapsody Op.53:

Roswell, GA, United States
Publisher: Williams Music Publishing
Date of Publication: 1991

Primary Genre: Trombone Ensembles - 5 trombones

Brahms composed the Rhapsody for alto voice, male chorus, and orchestra in 1869 as a wedding gift to Clara Schumann’s daughter. Set to a portion of an earlier poem by Goethe, which tells the tale of a man who volunteers himself to isolation from the world, the soloist is often heard apart from the accompaniment. The tonal colors move from c-minor, through turbulent chromaticism, to C-Major. The Adagio is a richly chromatic chorale and has now been adeptly transposed to b-flat major by Elwood Williams for five trombones. The typography is excellent, clear, easy to read and well spaced, with editing that includes substantial detail to phrasing and expression. Both upper voices are written in tenor clef, the bottom three voices are in bass clef, and range extends from D to d2. The chromaticism throughout and the tessitura of the top voice limits this music to mature players. It could conceivably be performed entirely on tenor trombones, though a bass trombone will better serve the bottom voice. The top voice might even be of interest to alto trombonists, especially in light of the nature of the original. This arrangement demonstrates Mr. Williams’ expertise and care as a transcriber of fine works for trombone. Reducing the rich tapestry of Brahms’ original to only five voices suffers only occasional loss of tonal spectrum. Performed well, the result offsets any compromises. As a vehicle for demonstrating multiple trombones in ensemble, and as an opportunity to explore 19th century chromaticism, this work stands out as a fine model.

-Bradley J. Payne
Milwaukee Ballet Orchestra