SKU: A0.549869

Beethoven Sonata Op. 49 No. 2 arranged for brass quintet. Duration: ca: 10:15 Score: 30 pages, 242 measures. In two movements. A great recital piece to demonstrate the many subtle nuances of the brass quintet.

Sonata Op. 49 No. 2

Arranged from Beethoven’s Piano Sonata No. 20, this is a simple but interesting work in two movements showing the composers sense of humor. The first movement Allegro ma non troppo and the second movement Tempo di Menuetto are both in the key of G. Both Sonatas 19 and 20 (op. 49, No. 1 & 2) are named Easy Sonatas because they are technically easier than the usual Beethoven Sonatas. This makes them very popular among students and teachers alike.

Beethoven Background

Ludwig van Beethoven (1770 –1827) was certainly a German pianist. Above all, he was probably one of the greatest composers in history. As a result, he is a pivotal character in the progress between the Classical and Romantic periods. He is certainly one of the most famous and hence important of all composers. Seems like his most familiar and noteworthy works include symphonies 1-9; piano concertos 1-5; and furthermore, the violin concerto. Also, certainly of extreme importance are the noteworthy 32 sonatas for the piano; the string quartets 1-16; the Missa solemnis; and likewise, his only opera, Fidelio.

Beethoven Overview

First of all, Beethoven was born and consequently raised in Bonn. Upon turning 21 he moved to Vienna probably to study composition with Haydn. That’s when he consequently grew a reputation as a brilliant pianist. Furthermore, he probably stayed in Vienna the rest of his life. In his late 20s it seems like his hearing certainly began to decline. It slowly declined until consequently he was nearly totally deaf probably by the last decade of his life. As a result, he stopped conducting and performing. Nevertheless, he continued to compose. As a result, some of his greatest works probably come from this period.

First Period

Seems like we often divide Beethoven’s life into three periods. Period 1 begins with Beethoven’s arrival in Vienna. Hence, during this period, he mastered the Viennese style of Haydn & Mozart. He consequently began increasing the size and scale of his works. Furthermore, he experimented with extreme dynamics, and likewise extreme tempi. He worked similarly with chromatic harmony. His First and Second Symphonies therefore belong to this period. Other important works also belong here: the first six string quartets and the Sonata Pathétique, Op. 13.

Second Period

His second period probably began as soon as he realized that he was going deaf. During this period, it seems like he became obsessed with the idea of heroism. His works consequently become even larger and more massive. The most noteworthy of these include the symphonies 3 – 8, piano concertos 5& 6, 5 string quartets, several important piano sonatas (Waldstein and Appassionata), the Kreutzer violin sonata, the violin concerto and his only opera: Fidelio.

Third Period

In contrast, Beethoven's third period is branded above all by works of incredible intellectual depth, formal innovation, and penetrating expression. It seems like he continued to expand his works. Consequently, the string quartet Op. 131 spills over into seven connected movements. Likewise, in the Ninth Symphony he adds choral forces to his orchestra probably for the first time in history. Even more, other works from this period include his Missa solemnis, the final 5 string quartets (including the enormous Große Fuge) and the final five sonatas for piano.

SKU: A0.1489490

Three of these seven short pieces are worthy to open any brass quintet concert or recital.  Two fanfares are too short for a concert feature but work extremely well in a ceremony or celebratory setting.  The last two short pieces aptly serve contrasting special purposes, as explained below.

“Fort Pierre Fanfare” is about 40 seconds in duration, and was composed to open the feature concert at the South Dakota Bandmasters Association convention in 2022.  Offutt Brass, from the US Air Force Heartland of America Band, was invited to perform that concert.  Before the final piece of the concert, when gifts were exchanged between the sponsor and performers, beautiful presentation copies of the sheet music were presented to the sponsor.  In performance, staging directions on the music can be extremely effective or cringy, depending on how they are conveyed.  If there is any inkling that there may be a cringe factor, ignore them, and play the fanfare already on stage.

“Enduring Freedom Fanfare” is nearly a minute of music.  It was composed as a gift for the outgoing Commander of the US Air Force Heritage of America Band, Major Rafael Toro-Quiñones.  His leadership was strong and inspiring, and he held a place of high esteem among many of the fine military musicians that he led.  The Change of Command ceremony was toward the end of the Covid-19 shut-downs, so the work was not performed at the ceremony.  Chief Remley, from the command’s satellite location in Nebraska, hand-delivered some finely printed presentation copies to Major Toro-Quiñones.

“Noble Eagle Fanfare” is slightly over a minute in length, and, like “Enduring Freedom Fanfare,” was composed as a gift for another outgoing Commander of the US Air Force Heritage of America Band, Captain David Neil Regner.

“Pilgrims’ Fanfare” was composed on what many Americans acknowledge as “Pioneer Day,” 24 July 2023.  Not only honoring the thousands of pioneers that settled the western United States, but also the pilgrims that voyaged across the ocean to settle in the new continent.  It is about 15 seconds in duration and is effective for any occasion in need of a magnificent fanfare.

“Flightline Fanfare,” as its title implies, was composed for the ribbon cutting ceremony of the dedication of the newly renovated flightline at Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska.  Unfortunately, the ceremony itself was altered last-minute, and the 15-second fanfare was not used.  However, like “Pilgrims’ Fanfare,” it is very handy for any event demanding a splash of pomp.

“American Interlude” is a soft 75-second underscore for an MC’s moving speech or dedication.  It was originally composed as a smooth segue between two moving patriotic pieces of different keys in a concert setting, but can be used in any similar appropriate situation.

“Troop 184” is dedicated to my childhood BSA Scoutmaster, Gerry Nielson, who molded me in significant ways into the man I am decades later.  It is functional music, akin to a fight song, and can be easily marched to.  Words may be crafted as a customized hiking ditty, or it can be featured before or after ceremonies as prelude or processional music.  The duration can also be customized, as there is a written optional repeat, lengthening the tune from 45 seconds to a minute and a half.

SKU: A0.1020677

Brass Quintet, in three movements, is written for advanced high school players, college players and professional quintets.
The three contrasting movements feature solo sections for all the players.  The range, while not extreme, may challenge younger trumpet players.  The movements may be performed individually.  If the entire quintet is performed, the duration is around 8:48.

SKU: A0.953862

 REVELATION FOR BRASS QUINTET is a transcription of a solo trumpet piece written Jack Stone a former performer in the famous UNT One O'clock lab band.  It is a high energy piece with a with a big ending. It is written for good performers with advanced technique. Playable by top flight high school level to professionals. Ranges are not extreme and the one High C for Trumpet It has an ossia available. The tuba uses pitches up to the top of the bass clef staff.  Hope you enjoy this piece.

SKU: A0.755271

Lexicon II is the second composition in a series that defines words through music. The first movement, Ballyhoo, means clamor or outcry. This is achieved musically through a fast tempo, wide intervals, asymetric meter, imitative sixteenth note patterns, and mild dissonance.

The second movement, Clandestine, uses pyramids to disguise the melodic line and asymetrical meter to disguise the beat in order to represent the definition of characterized by, done in, or executed with secrecy or concealment, especially for purposes of subversion or deception. The brass instruments are muted throughout this movement.

In order to represent Eerie, the word for the third movement, a slow tempo and sparse instrumentation are used along with dissonance, extreme dynamics, trills and glissandi. Eerie means uncanny, so as to inspire superstitious fear.

The fourth movement, Amok, is filled with dissonance, counterpoint, and chromaticism in order to represent its definition; to behave uncontrollably and disruptively. Sections of order seem to break down into sections of chaos and the movement ends on an unsettled chord.

SKU: A0.774915

Pavel Vorotnikov was a mid-level functionary in the Russian Orthodox church in the mid 1800's. His claim to fame, such as it is, was adding the most compositions to the list of church-approved music during a period of extreme musical censorship. Ironically, the very forces that stifled innovation during this period led to Vorotnikov's success composing gorgeous but unimaginative choral music. It evokes very strong images of dark wood, towering worship spaces, and stained glass. Arranged for brass quintet (two Bb trumpets, French horn, trombone, and tuba).  Visit our website, www.tootsuitebrasspublishing.com, for a catalog of our arrangements available through sheetmusicplus.com.

SKU: A0.811171

Puccini's Nessun Dorma, from his final opera Turandot is arguably the most recognized song on the planet. It is a short 3-minute aria of extreme beauty and drama made famous by the great operatic tenor, Luciano Pavarotti and brought to millions around the world with the Three Tenors.

Vikentios Gionanidis has beautifully arranged this work for Brass Quintet.

The work is appropriate for advanced performers.

SKU: A0.1243419

This adaptation was intended for a small group of brass quintet, where the original essence of the piece was kept, however, with a reduction in the duration, where only the main themes of the opening were extracted. As it is simplified, it is intended for beginner students of instrumental music who want to enter orchestral music, even in a simplified and reduced form, and can be used by music teachers with their students in ensemble practice in situations such as academic recitals, didactic concerts, or assessment tests.

The Symphony No. 5 in C minor, Op. 67, known as the Symphony of Destiny, by Ludwig van Beethoven, written between 1804 and 1808, is one of the most popular and best known compositions in the entire repertoire of European music. The four movements are characterized by orchestral homogeneity, being, at the same time, an example of alternation: the first movement, revealing great tension, denounced by the strings and raised to an extreme drama; the second movement reveals solemnity, in a funeral march that rises by its emotion and beauty; the third movement, a crispness; the fourth movement expresses triumph and magnificence.

SKU: A0.766978

2017 Holiday Contest Entry
This is a challenging quintet, but I think a very rewarding one.  I tried to make this familiar carol into a genuine set of variations, and one way I did this was to have each stanza (one for each of the 12 days) in a different major key, ascending by half-step all the way.  I hope you'll agree that the stanzas present many other kinds of variety as well--texture, tempo, mood, etc. There are quotations of many seasonal hymns and songs, most often used as transitions/modulations between stanzas.  Jeanette Isabella, one of my favorites, has a more prominent role. 
Other than playing in all keys, the demands on the players are not extreme (though it's definitely a blow).  Duration: 4 minutes, 33 seconds.  Enjoy! .

SKU: A0.1278278

Explore the majestic Wallowa Mountains in northeast Oregon! Inspired by their extreme jaggedness and majestic appearance, this fanfare for brass quintet was originally written for the brass edition of Music Camps at Wallowa Lake summer camp in 2010. Also known as the Alps of Oregon, the Wallowa Mountains are home to many camping, hiking, and other outdoor activities. This short fanfare is a tribute to their striking geography, starting with a simple melody, then expanding on rhythmic themes reminiscent of the range's pronounced sight line. Performance time is around 1:30, and is suitable for an intermediate brass quintet. This is a great piece to start a concert with, and a fun way to educate the audience on a short - but mighty - mountain range in Oregon!