Pictures/Finale from Firebird brass ensemble arrangements

[jtuba]

We're thinking of programming these on an upcoming brass feature concert. We need to purchase arrangements and was wondering if anyone's played the Boulder Brass arrangement of Pictures available at Hickey's? Philip Jones also recorded this, is the music for sale as well, and if so, where?

I've heard there are arrangements of the finale from Firebird, but I'm having trouble tracking it down. Is there one commercially available?

[Michael Grant]

Elgar Howarth arranged the version on the PJBE recordings. It is a rental only and I think is through Boosey and Hawkes (London, not US). Some university libraries may have it and would be available through an inter-library loan if you or someone in your group is affiliated with a university) I have played both the PJBE version and the Boulder Brass/Michael Allen version (the Allen version recorded by Burning River Brass by the way). IMHO, the Howarth sits much better for the ensemble. The Allen arrangement seems (in an attempt to make it easier for the players) to break lines and phrases up, passing them around from player to player. I think the idea was to make it less demanding on the individual players (trumpets and horns in particular). However, in rehearsal and performance it was far more difficult to put together. The lines did not flow as nicely as the Howarth. With that said, the Howarth is (again, IMHO) much harder. Killer parts for all and a larger group if I recall. I wouldn't let my opinion here stop you from pursuing the Allen arrangement. It is good and certainly worth playing. I just feel the Howarth is better.

As for the Firebird, I believe Jeremy Van Hoy / Denver Brass has an arrangement for sale. Check out their website. It's a good arrangement and worth getting (as are all of Jeremy's arrangements. His West Side Story is great!)

Hope this helps.

[Jobey Wilson]

Craig Garner just arranged Berceuse/Finale from Firebird for Triton Brass & Atlantic Brass (Tritantic Brass Ensemble)...it's on Youtube, and Craig's on here...I believe his site in dorm40music.com ...jobey

[miketuba]

Hello all,

As PT Barnum once said "I don't care what they say about me as long as they spell my name right." Actually - Mr. Grant is partially correct about my version(s) of Pictures.

The Burning River Brass version was written specifically for their recording "Russian Carnival" on Dorian Records. That version is for 4 trumpets, 2 horns, 3 trombones, euphonium, tuba and 2 percussion (3 would be better). It was written in less than two weeks in April of 2000 and recorded that summer - the recording speaks for itself.

My other version for brass (that I arranged for the Boulder Brass to perform at the 1998 International Trombone Festival) is for 444.12 and 3 percussion. It has not been "legally" recorded though there are a few unauthorized live concert recordings - there have been many performances (most recently at Banff, I think).

Both versions take a more chamber music/team approach to pulling the piece off than the Howarth (IMO - but I have a horse in the race). As Sam Pilafian once quipped in this context "it's good to have friends."

Some of the more pianistic passages and effects of the original Mussorgsky piano score are played by keyboard percussion instruments in both brass versions.

I have also written a version for full orchestra that was premiered by the Boulder Philharmonic in 2007 and will be performed again this November by the Colorado Springs Philharmonic.

FWIW

[Steve Marcus]

There is a recording of Michael Stewart's arrangement of Pictures for the Chicago Brass Choir (4 trumpets, 4 horns, 4 trombones, 1 euph, and 1 tuba) at http://chicagobrasschoir.com/recordings.html. It is available for purchase from the Chicago Symphony Orchestra Online Store.

[Craig Garner]

Craig Garner just arranged Berceuse/Finale from Firebird for Triton Brass & Atlantic Brass (Tritantic Brass Ensemble)...it's on Youtube, and Craig's on here...I believe his site in dorm40music.com ...jobey

Thanks Jobey!!

Berceuse and Finale from Firebird, arranged for double brass quintet, is available on my website, http://www.dorm40music.com" target="_blank. The site has a link to the Tritantic Brass Ensemble performance of this arrangement, or you can just go here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=InaMQbOWmxU" target="_blank

[Craig Garner]

Discount code word for September is: Mahler. You get 15% off.

[NickJones]

http://www.justmusicuk.com/spweb/detail ... no=JM31007" target="_blank


Category: Brass Band Catalogue -
Composer: Igor Stravinsky
Arranger: Ray Farr



Excerpts from the Ballet Suite. Duration 7.35

infernal dance , bercuse , finale ( final hymn)

it's a proper belter of an arrangement!

[Craig Garner]

Is the Firebird arrangement that's posted for sale the same arrangment as performed on the YouTube video? The performance is outstanding.

Yes, the arrangement is the same as the one on the video. Of course, the outstanding performance it up to you!!!

[Craig Garner]

One more question, and I'm guessing this forum might be the place to ask. On the Tchaikovsky tuba concerto that's posted: I realize it's from the violin concerto and the full orchestration is provided; however, is a rehearsal piano reduction included? Or, if I use a piano reduction from a violinist friend of mine will the music, how can I word this, line up? I guess what I'm asking is if it's the complete concerto?

Thanks
piccoloTuba

We probably should be doing this via a PM, but here goes.....the arrangement is EXACT to the original, right down to the rehearsal numbers Only minor changes were made, like removing double-stops and things like that. So, if you have a piano reduction, it will work perfectly with the arrangement. (The Concerto with orchestra, was a commission work. But, we have had numerous requests for a piano reduction, which we are working on, but it is not ready yet)