Review

Frédéric Chopin
Five Preludes: (from Op.28)

Arranged by Ralph Sauer

Trombone and piano

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Publisher: Cherry Classics Music
Date of Publication: 2022
URL: http://www.cherryclassics.com

Score and solo part.

Primary Genre: Solo Tenor Trombone - with piano

Many trombonists overlook the music of Frédéric Chopin, since it is almost exclusively written for the piano. However, much of Chopin’s piano music was inspired by Italian Opera and features dramatic melodies harmonized richly and powerfully. Ralph Sauer’s transcriptions of these five Chopin Op.28 Preludes (No. 9, 2, 6, 4, and 17 presented in that order) demonstrate just how captivating these melodies can be when set for brass.

Sauer’s version present each of these preludes in their original keys without any alteration to the form or texture. About half of the time the melodic lines are even presented in their original registers. With a playing range spanning from D-c², these transcriptions should fall within the grasp of most average college level players and many advanced high school level players. The only challenge for some may be the abundance of tenor clef. While intended to be performed as a set, there is no reason one could not perform the preludes individually.

As we have come to expect from Ralph Sauer’s published work, the parts and score are meticulously edited and perfectly legible, and the transcriptions are a faithful presentation of the original work. Five Preludes will surely become another of Sauer’s many masterful transcriptions to be included on trombone recitals for years and decades by students and professionals alike.