Review

Claude Debussy
Two Selections from the Children's Corner: 1. The Little Shepherd 2. Golliwogg's Cakewalk

Arranged by Ralph Sauer

Trombone and piano

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Publisher: Cherry Classics Music
Date of Publication: 2016
URL: http://www.cherryclassics.com

Score and solo part

Primary Genre: Solo Tenor Trombone - with piano

Children’s Corner Suite was published in 1908. The Little Shepherd (original key A) is given in G, range D–b1 and Golliwogg’s Cakewalk in its original key of A-flat, range BB-flat–d2.

These pieces I am sure will be familiar to all who once learned the piano, neither quite as easy as they might at first appear. That is also true of these transcriptions, especially the second selection, which is quite demanding in terms of range and technique. Both players will need a well-practiced understanding of the many subtleties of tempo and dynamic in these pieces, especially in The Little Shepherd, which is marked très doux et délicatement expressif. It should be possible to play this piece really beautifully, ending pianissimo on low G. It is a challenge to us all to achieve the ‘perfect legato.'

 Golliwogg’s Cakewalk is actually a ‘natural’ on trombone, and is made fully idiomatic in this transcription, which calls for lip-slurs and vibrato, contrasted with passages marked n.v. (no vibrato). The trombone’s dynamic range is fully exploited, with markings from pp to sffz. The flexibility of tempo in this piece requires careful rehearsal and good eye contact between both players for a really successful performance; it can serve as a great ‘encore piece.’