Ferdinand David - Concertino for Trombone Op. 4

Ferdinand David

 

 

(19 June 1810 – 18 July 1873)^[1] was a German virtuoso violinist and composer.

 

Concertino for Trombone Op. 4

Ferdinand David's Concertino for Trombone and Orchestra, Op. 4, was composed in 1837. It is well-known and one of the earliest Romantic-era solo pieces for the trombone. It was dedicated to Karl Traugott Queisser, a famous trombone and viola soloist of the time. Initially Queisser asked Felix Mendelssohn to write him a Trombone Concerto but did not have the time and suggested the then-young David for the task. The piece was premiered at the Gewandhaus with Queisser playing the

solo part and Mendelssohn conducting.^[1]

It consists of 3 movements:

• I. Allegro maestoso
• II. Marcia funebre (Andante)
• III. Allegro maestoso.

The second movement was arranged for Violin and Piano by David and was played at his own funeral.^[1]

This score is written for the following instruments:

Solo Trombone, 2 Flutes, 2 Oboes, 2 Clarinets 2 Bassoons, 4 Horns, 2 Trumpets in Eb, Timpani, and Strings^[2]

The piece has been recorded by Michael Ostrander, Carl Lenthe, Christian Lindberg, among others. A performance of the concerto usually lasts around 16-17 min

 

[참고 자료]

Karl Traugott Queisser (11 January 1800, Döben near Grimma – 12 June 1846, Leipzig) played trombone and viola in Germany as a member of the Gewandhaus Orchestra under Felix Mendelssohn.

He was Principal Viola of the Gewandhaus Orchestra from 1820 until 1843 where he also appeared as soloist on 27 occasions (playing trombone?). He was also the violist in the Gewandhaus String Quartet.

When Mendelssohn became conductor of the orchestra in 1835 he was so impressed that he promised to write Queisser a concerto. Owing to his busy schedule and new lover, he persuaded his orchestra's leader Ferdinand David (and 1st violinist in the Gewandhaus String Quartet) to write him a piece. This Concertino remains the most popular 19th century solo piece for trombone and is dedicated to Queisser.

Queisser was known throughout Germany and performed at many music festivals where other virtuosi included Franz Liszt, Clara Schumann and Nicolò Paganini.

It has been suggested that Queisser was responsible for annoying Mendelssohn by putting a 'turn'

in the opening trombone phrase of the 'Lobgesang' 2nd Symphony.