Review


Richard Wagner
Viva Wagner!: for

Arranged by James Haynor

Brass choir, timpani, and percussion: 4 b-flat trumpets; 2 horns in f; 2 trombones; 2 tubas; timpani; percussion

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Publisher: Cherry Classics Music
Date of Publication: 2018
URL: http://www.cherryclassics.com

Score and parts

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

Viva Wagner! is a series of ‘covers’ of familiar moments in Wagner’s music dramas. The piece features music from Tannhäuser (incorrectly attributed to Lohengrin), Lohengrin (Prelude to Act III and Elsa’s Procession), Tristan and Isolde, The Flying Dutchman, and of course, The Valkyrie.

Each movement in this suite comprises an abbreviated arrangement of memorable music from a scene or prelude. Some movements are held together by compositional ‘glue’ and others work without transitions. The pitch ranges for all of the instruments are suitable. The highest note in the first trumpet part is b-flat¹, and there are enough rests in all parts to prevent fatigue. This arrangement will be a crowd pleaser at a brass choir concert. Perhaps a sequel might include the prelude to Die Meistersinger for the tubas?

Reviewer: Sean Reed
Review Published June 19, 2023