SKU: CY.CC3136

ISBN 9790530111055. 8.5 x 11 in inches.

This fine work has sat dormant for many years and has now come to light thanks to the efforts of Charlie Vernon, Bass Trombonist of the Chicago Symphony, who performed this virtuoso work as a young performer. The concerto is in the standard three movement form: Fast, slow, fast. This publication is a reduction from the original orchestral version (to be released at some point in the future). Here is a description of the Concerto by the composer, John W. Ware. I started on the trombone concerto in my junior year studying composition at Indiana University. While working on it, I learned of an opportunity to make it sort of a thesis piece (though students didn't write a thesis in composition while an undergrad). The original version was for trombone with string orchestra, and it was performed by the IU String Orchestra, conducted by Dr. Arthur Corra, with Robert Priez, trombone, as part of my senior composition recital. I thought the performance was quite good (Priez played extraordinarily well), and the piece received a newspaper review in the Indiana Daily Student, in which the reviewer wrote that the work was almost too exciting. I thought at the time that he had given me and my music a fine compliment. I made a piano version of the accompaniment, shortening and tightening the first movement, for performances in 1966; I made a second revision in 1967 for a performance by E. J. Eaton, trombonist at the University of Tennessee at Martin, arriving at the form in which the work exists now. The first movement is in fairly normal sonata-allegro form, in the key of A minor. It alternates between assertive and more thoughtful moods. There is no introduction; the soloist enters immediately and dominates much of the movement. The main theme is--by some manipulation--a source for most of the other themes, and all of the themes are used in close proximity to each other, including contrapuntal combinations, especially near the end. Originally the movement included a lengthy fugato, now much shortened and including a stretto that builds and subsides before a cadenza leading to a coda based on both the principal and secondary themes. Key relations in this movement, as in the other two, are quite free and often chromatic, with frequent third-relations; but returns to the tonic at the end are emphatic. The writing is challenging for both soloist and accompanist; the piece is substantial, requiring technique and stamina. The second movement is in F minor and is also built on both contrast and close relationships between the main and secondary themes. The main theme is heard in the piano part before the soloist enters. The mood is more lyric than in the first movement, but with dramatic episodes also. In this movement are some definite derivations from themes in the first movement. The ending is a sort of lengthened shadow of the opening. The finale returns to A minor, with themes slightly related to polonaise rhythms, but with strong echoes of first-movement themes. Here, too, dramatic and lyric episodes alternate, with dotted rhythms frequently propelling the music forward. The introduction is a brief and simple preparation for the solo entry. Later in the movement, a very brief, slightly slower section is soon overtaken by the original tempo. Toward the end, there is a second cadenza, again leading to a swift and energetic coda. The work is about 20 minutes in length and is appropriate for advanced performers.

SKU: CY.CC2543

Granados was a Spanish composer whose music had the unique style of his homeland burned into his soul. He was also a very talented painter in the style of Goya.

The Two Dances, 1. Oriental and 2. Fandango are taken from the 12 danzas espanolas, volume I from 1890, for Piano.

Mr. Sauer has brilliantly taken the solo Piano part and divided it between solo Trombone and Piano.

Trombonists will enjoy working on this style of Spanish Nationalist music of which there is none in the solo repertoire.

The Two Dances (in tenor clef) are about 6 1/2 minutes in length and can be performed by advanced musicians.

The mp3 sample is an excerpt of the Bass Trombone version taken from a live performance at the 2012 Academy of the West Festival performed by David Hagee and Luis Ortiz, Pianist.

SKU: CY.CC2587

The Quelques Dances (Some Dances) Opus 26, arranged by Ralph Sauer for Trombone and Piano were originally composed for Piano during the summer of 1896. The four movements are:

Dedicace
Sarabande
Pavane
Forlane

Opus 26 is dedicated to Madame Robert de Bonnieres. Many of Chausson's trademarks are present in this work: lyricism, sensuousness, stateliness and beautiful part-writing combined with constant harmonic progression.

This work of 15 minutes in length is appropriate for advanced performers.

The mp3 sound clip features Ralph Sauer (Trombone) and Miriam Hickman (Piano).

SKU: CY.CC2494

Alexander Scriabin's music has been described as mystical, lyrical and idiosyncratic. He was a most innovative and controversial early modern Russian composer. His works were ignored for many years until recently and are now seen as sincere expression(s) of genius.

The Three Etudes for Trombone and Piano are early works of Scriabin, originally written for solo Piano. They show lyricism, passion, moodiness, chromatic harmonies and great expression.

Mr. Sauer has once again brought three wonderful new works for advanced performers who wish to explore this area, largely unknown to the Trombone world. Those who do will be richly rewarded with the depth of musicanship found in these works.

SKU: CY.CC2839

Bill Reichenbach's wonderful new composition for Solo Trombone and Piano accompaniment is brash, bold, dramatic, lyrical and exhilarating to perform and listen to. Originally written for Solo Trombone with Wind Ensemble, this version is a reduction of the solo with Piano accompaniment. It is written for very advanced to virtuosic performers and is about 7 minutes in length.

SKU: HL.48181984

UPC: 888680846497. 9x12 inches.

“French composer, Pierre Max Dubois (1930-1995) significantly contributed to the wind repertoire. Procession for Trombone and Piano was published in 1959 and remains prominent in the advanced trombonist's repertoire. Dubois' music is characteristically light-hearted with unusual harmonic and melodic textures. Procession for Trombone and Piano reflects Dubois' compositional characteristics as well as elements of grandeur, reflecting the title. A typical performance lasts about four minutes and fifteen seconds. Procession is essential to the advanced trombonist's repertoire. Dubois' work makes for an exciting and enjoyable performance for players and audiences alike.&rdquo.

SKU: CY.CC2885

The Serenade and Impromptu by Leoncavallo have been artfully arranged for Trombone and Piano by Ralph Sauer. They are both originally written for Cello and Piano.
These two obscure, yet charming and beautiful Neapolitan songs without words together are about 6-minutes in length.
With the use of bass clef and ossia passages, they are playable by even moderately advanced performers.

SKU: CY.CC2572

Samuel Coleridge-Taylor's Gypsy Song and Dance, arranged beautifully by Mr. Sauer for Trombone and Piano is taken from his four-movement Gypsy Suite Opus 20, originally published in 1898 for Violin and Piano, a very prolific year for the composer. Eventually this work and others were orchestrated by a colleague.

The two movements of nine minutes in length are suitable for advanced performers.