Search Music
Music Categories
PDF Download Only
Purchase. Print. Play.
-
Praetorius: Two Christmas Pieces – Woodwind Quintet
Es ist ein Ros’ Entsprungen and Gespräch der Hirten zu Bethlehem (Colloquy of the Shepherds) are two pieces by Michael Praetorius, one well known and the other, less so. The original test of Gespräch, a retelling of Luke 2:15, juxtaposes the earthly and the divine using both German and Latin.
Composer: Mark Questad
Instrumentation: Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, F Horn & Bassoon
Duration/# of Pages: ca. 1:55 / 9 pages, 8.5″ x 11″
Key: Ab-Eb -
Russian Dance: Trépak – Woodwind Quintet
The Suite of movements extracted by Tchaikovsky from his ballet music for The Nutcracker was an immediate success. As prevalent as the complete ballet The Nutcracker is today, it is hard to imagine that it took years, and perhaps the staging of George Balanchine, for it to become popular.
Some of the most memorable pieces from the suite are the Characteristic Dances. In Act II of the ballet, these movements are employed to introduce different residents of the “Land of Sweets.” Tchaikovsky’s orchestration makes adept use of wind instrument color. This translates very effectively in arrangements for the woodwind quintet.
The Russian Dance: Trépak ( Danse russe) is an energetic piece for all the instruments. It introduces Candy Canes in the Land of Sweets, building in excitement and speeding to the end.
Composer: Mark Questad
Instrumentation: Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, F Horn & Bassoon
Duration/# of Pages: ca. 1:15 / 12 pages, 8.5″ x 11″
Key: G -
See Amid The Winter’s Snow – Bassoon Quartet
Also known as Hymn for Christmas Day and Hymn for Christmas, this traditional English carol will be a beautiful and sensitive addition to your holiday program.
Composer: Bill Reichenbach
Instrumentation: Bassoon Quartet
Duration/# of Pages: ca. 2:35 / 9 pages, 8.5″ x 11″
Key: B – D (no key sig) -
Sheep May Safely Graze – Woodwind Quintet
J.S. Bach wrote the Hunting Cantata, BWV 208 to celebrate the birthday of one of his patrons, Duke Christian of Saxe-Weissenfels. It is a secular cantata which contains the aria, Schafe könen sicher weiden (Sheep may safely graze.) This aria has become one of Bach’s most enduring pieces. The aria is sung by Pales, Roman deity of shepherds and is meant as a tribute to the Duke’s beneficence. This arrangement fashions a popular Baroque piece into an effective offering for the instruments of the woodwind quintet.
Composer: Mark Questad
Instrumentation: Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, F Horn & Bassoon
Duration/# of Pages: ca. 3:00 / 12 pages, 8.5″ x 11″
Key: F