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Nymphes des Bois (Josquin) – Brass Quintet
Nymphes des bois, also known as La Déploration de Johannes Ockeghem, is a lament by Josquin des Prez (ca. 1445 – 1521) on the death of his predecessor, Ockeghem. Josquin was one of the most influential Renaissance composers and was considered a great master of his time.
The music is based on a poem (elegy) by Jean Molinet, a French poet and composer. The descending thirds in the chorus represent the names of the composers of that time: Josquin, Pierson, Brumel and Compére.
The lyrics to the chorus are:
Put on the clothes of mourning.
Josquin, Pierson, Brumel, Compére.
And weep great tears from your eyes,
For you have lost your good father.
May they rest in peace.
AmenExcerpt graciously provided by the Tower Brass Quintet.
Composer: Anne McGinty
Instrumentation: 2 Trumpets, Horn, Trombone & Tuba
Duration/# of Pages: ca. 3:15 / 10 pages, 8.5″ x 11″
Key: N/A -
Coventry Carol – Brass Quintet
Coventry Carol is an English carol written in the 16th century. The earliest known manuscript was from 1534. In those times there were local pageants, called “mystery plays,” in which the common folk performed dramatized stories from the Bible. This carol was part of the Pageant of the Shearmen and Taylors held in Coventry. It is the emotional climax of this long play and its plaintive melody is most effective.
This poignant carol is known for the use of the Picardy third, which adds a major chord at the cadence in a piece that is minor or modal.
Excerpt recorded by the Sine Nomine Brass Quintet.
Composer: Anne McGinty
Instrumentation: 2 Bb Trumpets, F Horn, Trombone & Tuba
Duration/# of Pages: ca. 2:10 / 11 pages, 8.5″ x 11″
Key: G min -
Pomp and Circumstance March – Brass Quintet
Sir Edward Elgar's Trio (Procession) from Pomp and Circumstance is an unabashed piece of “gig music.” This arrangement attempts to go easy on the trumpets – a useful feature when a large graduation class calls for multiple repeats of the movement.
The mp3 excerpt is performed by the Sine Nomine Brass Quintet. (Used with permission.)
Composer: Mark Questad
Instrumentation: 2 Bb Trumpets, F Horn, Trombone & Tuba
Duration/# of Pages: ca. 2:10 / 10 pages, 8.5″ x 11″
Key: Eb -
Il est né, le devin Enfant – Brass Quintet
Il est né, le devin Enfant, a French Christmas carol, occupies an unusual position between the secular and the sacred. Suitably, this instrumental version can find a place on different types of programs. A joyous carol, the text of the chorus tells us to celebrate by playing oboes and sounding bagpipes.
The mp3 excerpt is performed by the Sine Nomine Brass Quintet. (Used with permission.)
Composer: Mark Questad
Instrumentation: 2 Bb Trumpets, F Horn, Trombone & Tuba
Duration/# of Pages: ca. 3:40 / 13 pages, 8.5″ x 11″
Key: C-Db
