Review

Modest Mussorgsky
Allegro Assai from Sonata in C for Four Hands: for brass quintet

Arranged by J.D. Shaw


Louisville, KY, United States
Publisher: Potenza Music Publishing
Date of Publication: 2012
URL: http://www.potenzamusic.com

Primary Genre: Brass Ensemble - 5 brass

Allegro Assai is a student work by the 18 year-old Mussorgsky. Apparently an exercise assigned by his teacher Balakirev, it is Mussorgsky’s only surviving work in sonata-allegro form. J.D. Shaw has done a masterful job of setting this work for brass quintet. Each part is melodically interesting and significant. Dynamic suggestions and especially suggestions for articulations are carefully and clearly marked, a great assistance to rehearsing and performing the work.

The work itself is given in 6/8 meter and is reminiscent of the brass chamber writing of Victor Ewald. Technical challenges are modest—primarily eighth note motion. Ensemble challenges are those inherent to this compound meter. First trumpet needs an upper register that is secure to concert c3. The musical challenges in this work should not be overlooked. The inclination will be to let the tempo sag and to get bogged down in repetitiveness of the melodic content. Staying on the front edge of the beat and carefully pacing the dynamics will allow for an immensely enjoyable performance of this arrangement. Allegro Assai will make a great addition to a recital—one that your audience will easily apprehend.

-Paul Overly
Bob Jones University