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March – 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.
In the March (Marche et petit galop des enfants) from Act I, children act as soldiers to music that is at the same time martial and innocent.
Composer: Mark Questad
Instrumentation: Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, F Horn & Bassoon
Duration/# of Pages: ca. 2:40 / 23 pages, 8.5″ x 11″
Key: G -
naked tuba – Tuba Solo
Alone on stage. Just a chair and a music stand, you and your tuba. Feeling so very exposed, you begin the first notes of naked tuba.
The opening tempo is marked “slow, calm (mostly)” and you are totally free to express yourself. Although written in one continuous movement, the second tempo is marked “agitated (sometimes)” and again, the decisions are all yours.
This piece was written for Doug Tornquist, with great respect and admiration. I've had the opportunity to work with Doug on many occasions and his playing always inspires me to write more.
The tuba is an incredibly lyrical and versatile instrument. This unaccompanied piece celebrates the unlimited colors of this expressive instrument.
The “Add to cart” button shows “Score & Parts”; however, naked tuba is in solo format only, as per the sample first page.
Composer: Anne McGinty
Instrumentation: Tuba
Duration/# of Pages: ca. 7:10 / 4 pages, 8.5″ x 11″
Key: N/A -
No Strings Attached – Brass Quintet
It is so easy to add special conditions, restrictions and expectations to almost anything — even music. Using this as extramusical inspiration, No Strings Attached first attaches each of the strings, followed by a spirited and rhythmic romp interspersed with unifying chorales. At the end, each of the strings are released, one by one.
Music is one of the most valuable things we can share without asking for or expecting anything in return.
Composer: Anne McGinty
Instrumentation: 2 Bb Trumpets, F Horn, Trombone & Tuba
Duration/# of Pages: ca. 3:00 / 21 pages, 8.5″ x 11″
Key: N/A -
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
