Review

Frédéric Chopin
Five Preludes (from Op. 28): arranged for Tuba (Bass Trombone) and Piano

Arranged by Ralph Sauer


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

Piano score and solo part

Primary Genre: Solo Bass/Contrabass Trombone - with piano

Ralph Sauer, retired Principal Trombonist of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, has a well-earned reputation as a fine arranger, having written dozens of arrangements.  His work on five preludes, Op. 28 from Chopin is no exception. This is unusual music for non-pianists.

Chopin’s 24 Preludes, Op. 28, are a set of short compositions for the piano, one in each of the twenty-four keys, originally published in 1839. Ralph has kept the original scores and keys as the basis for these preludes. The keys, E major, A minor, B minor, E minor, and A-flat, contain technical challenges suitable for advanced musicians.  The trombone/euphonium version is mostly written one octave higher than then bass trombone version. I would be concerned that the bass trombone/tuba version with the original melody an octave lower than the original will conflict with the accompaniment; therefore, my preference would be to recommend the upper versions

Included in the five selected is the famous “Tolling Bells” Op. 28, No. 6. While the term prelude usually referred to an introductory piece, Chopin created masterpieces that stand alone as marvelous miniatures. These types of compositions are now available to us as trombonists. I regret that we cannot hear Ralph Sauer perform these arrangements on his next CD!