Review

Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach
Symphony No.1, H.663, Wq.183 :

Arranged by Justin Bland

Brass quintet

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Publisher: Cherry Classics Music
Date of Publication: 2017
URL: http://www.cherryclassics.com

Score and parts

Primary Genre: Brass Ensemble - 5 brass

Carl Phillip Emmanuel Bach is a familiar name to many musicians, but his music is likely less familiar. Carl Phillip was a leading composer of the “Empfindsamer Stil” and an advocate for individual self-expression in music. This arrangement is one of limited publications available for brass musicians by this important transitional composer.

The Symphony, originally in D major, is transposed down to C major for this arrangement. The work is comprised of three movements, Allegro di molto - Largo - Presto, with attacca between the final two movements. The first movement is by far the more musically substantial and technically challenging. Its rhythmic challenges are few but syncopated passages are present. The brief second movement indicates the optional use of flugelhorn for both trumpet parts. The final movement is cast in a fast triple meter and frequent sixteenth-note passages are passed between the valve instruments. Though sixteenth-note runs are kindly limited in the trombone part, non-idiomatic arpeggiations are encountered in the first movement that may require focused attention.

Both C- and B-flat trumpet parts are provided. Tessitura of the individual parts are limited to acceptable ranges for each instrument and are quite manageable for the performance level expected in this piece. There are, however, several concert f³s notated in the second trumpet (C-part). The first movement is notated across four pages, so photocopying or single-sided printing of the movement is required to avoid awkward page turns. Appropriate articulations and dynamics are thoughtfully notated. The difficulty level of the arrangement makes it appropriate for an experienced undergraduate or graduate level brass quintet.