Alternatives to Bach Cello Suites

How and what to teach and learn.
Post Reply
AndersLarson
Posts: 8
Joined: Wed Mar 02, 2022 3:16 am

Alternatives to Bach Cello Suites

Post by AndersLarson »

I am a big fan of Bach's cello suites, they are great fun to play on trombone. Love the flow in the music as well as the challenges. But as the greedy bastard I am I want more!!!

1. What other Bach etudes can you recommend?
2. Other Bach Cello pieces I should check out?
3. Other Cello etudes by other composers that fits the trombone?


Looking forward to hearing what you all work on!
Anders

PS. I have transposed the first two Bach Cello Suites to all keys - that provide fun challenges in the form of high range / low range or awkward key workout!
Anders Larson
Jazz trombone player, conductor, arranger and educator
Founder of https://www.digitaltrombone.com - the largest collection of trombone exercises and sheet music online. 🎶 🎵
Kdanielsen
Posts: 461
Joined: Sun Jul 28, 2019 9:35 pm
Location: New England

Re: Alternatives to Bach Cello Suites

Post by Kdanielsen »

The unaccompanied telemann flute things (fantasies?) are pretty great.
Kris Danielsen D.M.A.

Westfield State University and Keene State College
Lecturer of Low Brass

Principal Trombone, New England Repertory Orchestra
2nd Trombone, Glens Falls Symphony
JacobsianApostle
Posts: 22
Joined: Fri Mar 04, 2022 2:09 am

Re: Alternatives to Bach Cello Suites

Post by JacobsianApostle »

Bump for the Telemann flute fantasies. For specifically cello repertoire the Popper etudes are really challenging with beautiful chromatic language (check out #6). A good deal of octave transposing would be in order for most of them but some, like #6, can be played if you’ve got the range and endurance for it (from F below bass clef to F at the top of treble but it happens only once).

I’ve also been playing some of the Charlier 36 études transcendantes just down the octave. Still very challenging but not the crazy range of the cello stuff.
mbarbier
Posts: 267
Joined: Thu May 17, 2018 9:58 pm

Re: Alternatives to Bach Cello Suites

Post by mbarbier »

Vivaldi cello sonatas and Bach Viola de Gamba Sonatas work really well.
The CPE Bach sonata for solo flute is a really nice fit.
trombone faculty at CalArts and LA City College
1/2 of RAGE Thormbones
they/them
https://mattiebarbier.bandcamp.com/
http://www.mattiebarbier.com/
User avatar
hyperbolica
Posts: 2791
Joined: Fri Mar 23, 2018 7:31 am

Re: Alternatives to Bach Cello Suites

Post by hyperbolica »

Telemann flute fantasies edited by Alan Raph. A different kind of unplayable. Ralph Sauer made some recordings of these decades ago which are just unbelievable. There are probably other recordings by now. Helps you work on flexibility, intervals, interpretation, phrasing, time, intonation, breathing, key signatures...
User avatar
bassclef
Posts: 199
Joined: Fri Mar 23, 2018 8:30 am
Location: Ohio, USA

Re: Alternatives to Bach Cello Suites

Post by bassclef »

I've been working on Suite for Unaccompanied Bass Trombone by Eric Culver, which reminds me of the cello suites in many ways.
AndersLarson
Posts: 8
Joined: Wed Mar 02, 2022 3:16 am

Re: Alternatives to Bach Cello Suites

Post by AndersLarson »

Thanks a lot for all of your input! I dug into the Telemann Fantasias and have now edited two of them for trombone in bass clef in a number of different keys. Feel free to check them out!
https://www.digitaltrombone.com/teleman ... mbone.html

A total of about 40 pages of flute music turned trombone music!
Anders Larson
Jazz trombone player, conductor, arranger and educator
Founder of https://www.digitaltrombone.com - the largest collection of trombone exercises and sheet music online. 🎶 🎵
bcschipper
Posts: 203
Joined: Sat Sep 22, 2018 11:52 pm
Location: California
Contact:

Re: Alternatives to Bach Cello Suites

Post by bcschipper »

Bach’s Concerto for Oboe and Violin, BWV 1060R. Play the oboe part an octave down. Use alternative positions for natural slurs as much as possible. Also good exercise for practicing lip trills.
gbedinger
Posts: 84
Joined: Fri Mar 23, 2018 7:40 am
Location: Charm City
Contact:

Re: Alternatives to Bach Cello Suites

Post by gbedinger »

Ricercar, by Domenico Gabrieli. It has been recorded by Remko de Jager on the New Trombone Collective “Trombone” CD. I currently see an online version in G minor, but years ago I found a D minor version that’s easier for me to play, and I think Remko plays it in Dm as well.
Bonearzt
Posts: 715
Joined: Thu Mar 22, 2018 7:40 am
Location: My Dungeon of Hell....Actually Texas
Contact:

Re: Alternatives to Bach Cello Suites

Post by Bonearzt »

Joseph Boismortier has some nice cello material that works well for trombone!
Eric Edwards
Professional Instrument Repair
972.795.5784

"If you must choose between two evils, choose the one you haven't tried yet."
"Rather fail with honor than succeed by fraud." -Sophocles
Cmillar
Posts: 243
Joined: Tue Apr 24, 2018 5:39 am

Re: Alternatives to Bach Cello Suites

Post by Cmillar »

The new books by Ralph Sauer are excellent transcriptions of the melodies from a lot of different Bach music.

Not really for bass trombone, but great for tenor players.

Hey...it's Bach!....what's not to love!
Kbiggs
Posts: 1124
Joined: Sat Mar 24, 2018 11:46 am
Location: Vancouver WA

Re: Alternatives to Bach Cello Suites

Post by Kbiggs »

Bach Flute Sonatas.
Kenneth Biggs
I have known a great many troubles, but most of them have never happened.
—Mark Twain (attributed)
Post Reply

Return to “Teaching & Learning”