Review

Felix Mendlessohn
Songs Without Words: Volume One

Arranged by Ralph Sauer

Tuba or bass trombone and piano

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Publisher: Cherry Classics Music
Date of Publication: 2018
URL: http://www.cherryclassics.com

Score and solo part

Primary Genre: Solo Bass/Contrabass Trombone - with piano

Felix Mendelssohn’s prolific Songs Without Words were written in eight volumes over the course of his life. These 48 songs have become a staple of the piano repertoire. In Ralph Sauer’s arrangement he has adapted the key and melody of each song to suit the trombone. The musicality of phrasing and style in these six selections will be a welcome addition to recitals of any level.

I: Andante con moto Op.19, No.  (A)

II: Presto Op.102, No.3 (F)

III: Venetianische Gondellied - Andante sostenuto Op. 19, No. 6 (C minor)

IV: Allegro non troppo Op.53, No.2 (G)

V: Andante espressivo Op.30, No.1 (A)

VI: Allegro di molto Op.30, No.2 (d minor)

Volume one of Mr. Sauer’s collection runs approximately seventeen minutes and is moderate in difficulty. The shrewdness of tonal functionality, technique, and internal phrasing allow keen musicians to show sensitivity within their performance. The relatively easy tessitura E to f1 place the works within the register of a developing pupil. The selected keys also offer accessibility to a range of abilities. The musical content of Songs Without Words is rarely matched in our repertoire. I will use these works in my teaching and plan to program them on future recitals. Songs Without Words is a standout among Mr. Sauer’s vast catalogue of arrangments.