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I'm in a brass quintet and we have a 50% success rate when we buy music--50% of the time we like it, 50% of the time we don't. I'd like to improve those odds. It would be great to hear other folks list their favorite quintet pieces so we can all make more informed choices. I'll start:

Two Motets, Opus 29 by Johannes Brahms, transcribed and edited by Graham Bastable. Published by International. Grade 3. Based on two chorales. Great transcription--works well in church. Requires endurance from the 1st trumpet.

A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square by Maschwitz/Sherwin, arranged by Jack Gale. Published by Music Express. Grade 3. Rich chords and nice lines.

Suite from Water Music by Handel, arranged by Marlatt. Grade 3. Four short contrasting movements. Parts work for all 5 players, and sounds solid. Tuba has very fun part in 3rd movement.

I dig the Ewald brass quintets big time, and have found the energy in the Bozza to be quite a good time. Malcolm Arnold also wrote a great one. It goes on and on.

***

"Salvation Is Created" Tschesnokoff, V. Whaley arr. (c) 1996 SBW & Assoc
a beautiful piece!

Pavane (1887) Faure, D. Baldwin arr., (c) 1993 PP Music
also lovely . . . .

My Spirit Be Joyful (fr. Cantata 146) Bach, R. Madeson arr, (c) 1993 AMSI
very cool tuba part, mostly 16th and 32nd notes . . . .

Scherzo by Cheetham (c) 1966 Avant Music
(count, count, count)

Call me a musical simpleton, but I still think Sonata from Die Baenkelsaengerlieder is a blast (Robt. King)

Enjoy,

My group has been enjoying Kerry Turner's Ricochet a lot lately - fun piece with lots to do.

The quintets by Eric Ewazen are also very challenging, though a little harder on the listener - Frostfire is a blast.

The Sanders Quintet is a little easier and enjoyable. West Side Story is a hoot - great music.

Preven's Five Outings is nice.

David Dzubay's Brass Quintet is a spectacular piece of music - very challenging but great music that is well worth the effort (did the world premier in '87). available at http://www.thompsonedition.com/brassquintet.htm

The Ewalds are nice - good romantic era music.

Mozart Adagio

Jack Gale's Sound of Mucus (oops--Music); Porgy and Bess; and there's another big one but I can't remember it right now.

Just a few to chew on.

Bryan wrote:new music can be risky...As most music is not returnable...It is not easy, nor cheap, to build a substancial library but is well worth the effort.

For older publications, you can borrow unfamiliar scores and parts through InterLibrary Loan. After your quintet plays through the piece on a one-time trial basis (or after you examine the score on your own) and deem it worthy of further run-throughs or even performance, you can then purchase the score and parts with confidence.

Many current quintet composers/arrangers are issuing their new creations online, with MIDI tracks that you can audition at no charge.

Roger Lewis wrote:West Side Story is a hoot - great music... Jack Gale's Sound of Mucus (oops--Music); Porgy and Bess; and there's another big one but I can't remember it right now.

I think you mentioned it already--West Side Story is a great Jack Gale arrangement (unless you were thinking of another arranger's WSS).

I'm partial to the Ewazen, "Frostfire".

Depends on what you define "successful" to be and what your audiences like to hear. I like the Horovitz "Music Hall Suite" a lot, but it's not for everyone. Our audiences tend to like jazz pieces, so we lean in that direction.

OTOH, if you're looking for some decent "straight" arrangements, have a look at:

http://www.sheetmusicnow.com

It's a pay-for-download site, but there are some very nice charts there done by Mogens Adresen of the Royal Danish Brass. I can recommend the Maurer and the Hansen particularly.

If you're looking to get seasonal, there are some very nice jazz Chirstimas charts by Zach Smith that have been posted at

http://www.trumpettunes.com.

I like the Victor Ewald quintets, I feel that they are challenging enough to be fun, and they have a good enough melody that can be appreciated.

My new favorite is fast becoming the Henry Herforth arrangement of Bach's "My Spirit Be Joyful" The tuba part is flying through runs almost the entire piece. Not for the faint of heart at a brisk tempo!

If I had to name one piece as a favorite, mine would be the Suite from the Monteregian Hills by Morley Calvert.

All the above mentioned pieces are nice too. If you like lighter stuff, much of the candaian brass stuff is available. So if there is a particiular piece you like you may be able to get it. Many of hte pieces are also arranged in various levels of difficulty for groups at different levels.

ken k

Almost anything by Gabrielli.
Dance suites by Praetorius or Susato.
Pezel.

definitely the Ewalds. however i have some other favorites that havent been said. in order of my favorite to least favorite

Pollack, That's A Plenty
Gerswhin, Porgy and Bess (great tuba solo on summertime)
Bach, Fugue in g minor (only if you have great trumpet players)
Josquin, Kyrie from Pange Lingua (my own arrangement... old stuff)
Joplin, Three Scott Joplin Rags
Waller, Ain't Misbehavin'

All good tunes. i also like the Faure, Pavane that was mentioned earlier. It sounds great but not much for a tuba part.

Some fun and quirky pieces:

Dance - Renwick (warn the Trumpets the parts are in C!)

Polka from the Golden Age - Shostakovich
anyone else out there change the last note to Bb?

Ain't Misbehavin - Henderson (Canadian Brass)

Richard Price Xmas Carols Book

Call me a musical simpleton, but I still think Sonata from Die Baenkelsaengerlieder is a blast (Robt. King)

I'm surprised more people haven't said this. When played with the right lightness and energy, Die Bankersangerlieder is just awesome!

We're playing Ewald No. 2 right now....great piece....and the Malcolm Arnold....I really dig that.

If your BQ coach ever puts the Alvin Etler Quintet in front of you, there is only one thing to do......RUN!!

(Actually....it's a difficult but great piece....it just requires a lot of commitment from the group....)

My $.02.....

Allen

Play the Plog, if your trumpets are willing. If they aren't, ask them if it's too hard, see what happens then...