Opus4 – Leipziger Posaunenquartett

The trombone quartet Opus4, founded in 1994, consists of trombonists Jörg Richter and Dirk Lehmann from the Gewandhaus Orchestra Leipzig, Michael Peuker from the Saxon Wind Philharmonic, and Wolfram Kuhnt, bass trombonist at the Staatskapelle Halle. The ensemble’s extensive repertoire spans five centuries of brass music. Alongside original compositions from the Renaissance and Baroque periods, their program includes arrangements and world premieres of works specially written for the quartet.

The trombone, sometimes called the “trumpet of the lower register,” is one of the oldest fully chromatic orchestral instruments, alongside the violin. It took its modern form around 1450 in Burgundy as a development of the slide trumpet to access lower tones. In the 16th century, the trombone became so popular that it was built in various vocal ranges. However, in the following centuries, the focus narrowed to the alto, tenor, and bass trombones still used today. Since the 18th century, a trio of trombones covering these three ranges has had a firm place in the orchestra.

Although there are relatively few works composed specifically for the trombone, the Opus4 program mainly features arrangements. Many of these arrangements are by the ensemble’s founder and leader, Jörg Richter. Their repertoire includes music from Renaissance and Baroque as well as modern and popular compositions, demonstrating the trombone’s versatility from early music to jazz.

A central artistic goal of Opus4 is to achieve the instrument’s characteristic warm and blended sound. This is made possible by their use of traditional German KRUSPE trombones, which distinctly set their tone apart from the more “Americanized” brass sections commonly found in most orchestras today.

The quartet’s many concerts throughout Germany and Europe testify to their high level of activity and artistic commitment.