Review

Ottorino Respighi
Ancient Airs and Dances Suite :

Arranged by James Haynor

double brass quintet

Vancouver, BC, Canada
Publisher: Cherry Classics Music
Date of Publication: 2013
URL: http://www.cherryclassics.com

Score and parts

Primary Genre: Brass Ensemble - 6+ brass (choir)

Both an experienced performer on trumpet with 28 years in the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra and an experienced arranger, James Haynor has arranged around 40 pieces for brass ensembles of varying sizes. This experience shows in his arrangement from Ottorino Respighi’s Antiche danze et arie per liuto suites, commonly known as Ancient Airs and Dances; it is an excellent addition to the large brass ensemble repertoire. Haynor has drawn six movements, three each from the first and third of Respighi’s suites, and arranged them for double brass quintet. Composed between 1917 and 1932, these suites draw from sixteenth and seventeenth century music for strings, most often the lute, and were originally scored for small orchestra.  
 
The choice of movements and scorings provides a variety of forms and sonorities. The scoring is done thoughtfully using various combinations of instruments. At times, all ten parts play together. At others, though, Haynor chooses to play the lower instruments against the four trumpets for contrasting sonorities. There are also places where each quintet plays as a unit, alternating with the other in a quasi-antiphonal style. On the whole, these varying combinations add interest to Respighi’s music.
 
Renaissance music has long been a staple of brass ensemble repertoire. James Haynor’s Ancient Airs and Dances Suite provides an interesting, well-scored alternative to typical choices for late Renaissance music. The suite should be playable by college-level players and above. While not extremely difficult in terms of range or technique, it requires players confident in multiple scenarios, sonorities and keys.

-Chad Arnow
University of Dayton