Brahms wrote three sets of Motets. This Motet, Opus 74, No. 2 composed in the early 1860?s is taken from text written by Friedrich Spee (1591-1635), inspired from the Hebrew bible. This Motet is often performed at Advent by Catholic and Protestant church choirs. As with much of Brahms? choral music, there is exceptional harmonic beauty and counterpoint which was influenced greatly by Bach.

Mr. Sauer has done an exceptional job of scoring this work for four part choir of advanced performers.

Bach?s great Chaconne from the Partita in d minor BWV 1004 for Violin was arranged for piano left-hand by Brahms and now has been arranged yet again for Trombone Quartet by Phil Brink. This 8-minute work is appropriate for advanced performers and will make a great addition to any recital.

Ciacona (original key of F minor for organ) has been beautifully arranged for trombone quartet in C minor by Mark LaFratta. It is probably Pachelbel?s second most famous work, after the Kanon in D. As is typical for a Ciacona (Chaconne), there is a short simple tune in triple meter over a repeating bass ostinato that provides a vehicle for variation, ornamentation, and melodic invention. It is somewhat similar to a passacaglia. There is a passage or two that even have hints of Bach's great Passacaglia, which didn't appear for many years in the future.



Pachelbel's Ciacona states an opening theme followed by 22 variations, the last of which is an almost exact repeat of the opening theme.



This fantastic 8-minute arrangement is appropriate for advanced performers and is scored for: alto trombone, 2 tenor trombones, and a bass trombone