Hans Leo Hassler (1564-1612), son of an organist, was born in Nuremberg and received his initial training in music from his father. As a young man he studied in Venice and became close friends with Giovanni Gabrieli, both eventually studying composition with Giovanni's Uncle Andrea. Hassler gained a reputation as an innovative composer and also traveled throughout Germany as a consultant in the construction of pipe organs.

Dr. Palmer has transcribed this exciting 3 minute work for 6-part Trombone Ensemble. It will work well for intermediate performers.

Verbum caro factum est is a beautiful choral work written in antiphonal style. The text has been taken by Hassler from the first chapter of the St. John Gospel and is considered an ancient carol of Christmas based on the text.

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us. (John 1:14)
And we have beheld His glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1:14)

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. (John 1:1)

And we have beheld His glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1:14)

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
And we have beheld His glory,
glory as of the only Son from the Father,
full of grace and truth. (John 1:14)

Hear a choral rendition of this work on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=80lkSRHhDyQ

Eine Alpensinfonie is Strauss's final and largest scale tone poem. Composed in 1915 (during WWI) Strauss puts into music his feelings of joy and mystery about the glory of nature, especially the mountains. He so loved the mountains that he built a home in the Bavarian Alps with stunning views.

The original work is scored for an enormous orchestra of at least 125 musicians and is about 50 minutes in length. This fantastic 6-minute arrangement by Randall Malmstrom, appropriate for advanced performers is for an 8-part Trombone Ensemble (1 alto, 5 tenors, and 2 bass trombones) and features excerpts from the work that highlight the trombone section's glorious chorals.

Venus, the Bringer of Peace from "The Planets" by Gustav Holst follows directly after the angry movement of Mars, the God of War. The mood is lyrical and gentle.

Randall Malmstrom's wonderful arrangement for 8-part Trombone ensemble captures the mood exactly with rich harmonies and textures.

The work can be performed by advanced performers.

Sergei Rachmaninoff's Prelude Op. 3, No. 2 is one of the composer's most famous compositions and is also known as The Bells of Moscow since the introduction seems to reproduce the Kremlin's most solemn carillon chimes. (Wikipedia).

This fantastic arrangement in C minor (the original is in C#) by Kevin Dombrowski for 8-part Trombone Ensemble certainly retains the immense gravity and solemnity of the piano version if not more, with the rich and dramatic sounds of the trombones.

The 4-minute arrangement is appropriate for advanced performers.

A full on arrangement of the classic James Bond theme from GOLDFINGER for 8 trombones. Parts for 6 tenors and two basses. Lead part goes to high E and bass trombone 2 includes some low B naturals. Enjoy the overly loud demonstration recording I did!