Review

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Divertimento No.1 K.229 (439b): arranged for brass trio

Arranged by Eric High

B-flat trumpet, horn in F, trombone

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Publisher: Cherry Classics Music
Date of Publication: 2019
URL: http://www.cherryclassics.com

Score and parts

Primary Genre: Brass Ensemble - 3 brass

W.A.Mozart 5 Divertimenti K229 (439b) arranged for Brass Trio by Eric High. N.p. : Cherry Classics Music, 2019. Overall playing time c. 60min. Score and parts.

These pieces are thought to have been composed between 1783 and 1788 for three Bassett horns. They have been arranged here for trumpet, horn and trombone. Each has a playing time of approximately 12 minutes. They are all quite similar in style and were clearly not intended to be performed together as a set. All are in F major; trio sections are in B-flat, C and F minor. In No.5 the key of the Menuetto is F, but a signature of G has been used and there are many more accidentals than should be needed, including almost every note of the trombone part in the Trio section. This is almost certain to be confusing on first reading. Overall trombone range is F-g¹, c² optional; trumpet in B-flat tops out at a². All three parts are of only moderate difficulty and this music can be played totally for enjoyment. Dr. High is a bass trombonist, currently Associate Professor of Music at St. Norbert College in De Pere, Wisconsin.

Keith Davies Jones