This collection of trombone solos represents an attempt to provide the serious player with suitable repertoire for recital and contest. Trombonists are confronted with a dilemma when it comes to selecting repertoire preceding the 20th century, as the instrument has only recently attracted composers to write for it in a serious way. While we can thank composers such as Albrechtsberger and Wagenseil for their fine solo contributions for alto trombone, such works remain out of the practical range of most players unless transcribed into lower keys (as Henry Smith did with the Wagenseil Concerto in his First Solos for the Trombone Player).

Music of the Baroque and Classical periods offers trombonists much to explore and develop - it calls for a nimble technique, a lyrical style and an important sense of rhythmic emphasis. For many years, trombonists have borrowed pieces originally written for flute, cello, bassoon and voice, and made them their own. Here in this collection are complete works transcribed specifically for trombone and piano, along with some selected unaccompanied works that work splendidly on trombone.

I have selected eleven works that I and many of my students have used successfully in concert. All but one are playable on both tenor and bass trombone; the Schumann Adagio and Allegro has been included especially for the bass trombonist. The selection cover a wide range of musical styles and periods. My primary goald has been to edit the works in a way that reflects appropriate performance practice of the period and at the same time ensures an idiomatic style for the trombone.

  —Douglas Yeo (Bass Trombonist, Boston Symphony Orchestra)