12031 – Coriolan Overture

Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827)

Arranged by Roger Harvey for 12 trombones

Difficulty: Hard

Price: £32.50

Programme notes:

Coriolan Overture, op. 62, was written as a response to Heinrich Joseph von Collin's tragedy in 1807.  It is a concert overture rather than an operatic prelude. Coriolan is about to invade Rome; his mother pleads for him to desist; Coriolan eventually gives in to her tenderness, but since he cannot turn back having led an army of his former enemies to Rome's gates, he kills himself.

The dramatic opening motive, sustained octaves followed by short chords act as a punctuating motto to the piece. However, this is not a programmatic piece; the themes are worked out in usual sonata style. The moods of the music are, though, suggested by the feelings of the drama; the anxious foreboding of the first main theme may portray the impending battle; this gives way to a gentler subject, perhaps representing the pleas of Coriolan's mother. The coda suggests Coriolan's demise as the life pulse gradually disappears.

Performance notes:

The markings in this arrangement are largely Beethoven's. It is important not to take them too literally as direct transfer into trombone terms may create an overly aggressive manner that will become tiresome. The style must, nevertheless be dramatic so make the most of the sudden changes of dynamic, articulations and phrase shapes to give character. The accompanying quaver figures, such as the cantabile passages at letter C and the staccato ones after F should be very gently played; try to keep the articulation as unobtrusive as possible and glide through the figures.

Some of the 1st parts in each choir may be rather too high for some players, even with an alto trombone. This should not become an issue, as failure to play the upper notes should not overly affect the harmony or melodic line.