Ferdinand David

Concertino For Trombone Op. 4

This concertino is considered as the classical piece par excellence for trombone. It was commissioned by the trombonist and violinist Carl Taugott Queisser, who worked as first violin in the orchestra of Leipzig between 1820 and 1843. He met Ferdinand David, who assisted Felix Mendelssohn as a conductor. David, himself a virtuoso violinist, performed, amongst other works, the well know violin concerto in E minor by Mendelssohn. Mendelssohn had promised a trombone concerto to Queisser, but had never found the time to realise the project. Queisser asked David if he would write the piece. David set to work immediately and the concertino was finished in 1832. The work proved to be a huge success and has been played often and not only in Germany. Even today, this concertino is often used as the test piece for trombone examination in the most well know orchestras.