The Earliest Trombone Quartet - Marini's Canzona


 After learning about Beethoven's Drei Equali for Four Trombones, I was intrigued by what was the earliest piece written intentionally for Trombone Quartet.  It turns out, the earliest piece written was a piece by Biagio Marini (who was a student of Monteverdi).  Canzona for Four Trombones was originally written in 1626 in the infancy of the Baroque period.  This particular recording performed by "His Majesties" performs the piece on period-age instruments.  These instruments look like the trombones to the right.  In particular, the bells of these instruments are substantially smaller than modern trombones.  Also, the bore (or diameter of the slide) is smaller than modern horns.  

This recording incorporates not only the period-age trombones but also continuo.  This recording features clean articulations and solid intonation.  Furthermore, the artistic decisions to incorporate continuo and period-age instruments make this particular rendition particularly revealing of what this performance might have sounded like in the 17th century.  

I hope you enjoy the performance.   

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