Review

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Symphony No.41 (Jupiter):

Arranged by Andrew Poirier

Arranged for 10-piece brass ensemble and timpani: piccolo trumpet, 3 B-flat trumpets, horn in f, 2 tenor, 1 bass trombone, euphonium, tuba, timpani

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Publisher: Cherry Classics Music
Date of Publication: 2020
URL: http://www.cherryclassics.com

Score and parts

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

In August of 1788, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart completed Symphony No.41 in C Major, “Jupiter.” This marked the end of a summer of remarkable artistic fertility amidst profound tragedy. In the preceding months he finished Symphonies 39 and 40. He was under extreme, often self-inflicted financial pressure. His wife had been quite ill, and his beloved six-year-old daughter tragically passed away. Incredibly he managed to write some of the most profound music of all time.

Andrew Poirier has arranged the first movement Allegro Vivace for ten-piece brass ensemble and timpani. He scores the movement for piccolo trumpet, three B-flat trumpets, horn, two trombones, bass trombone, euphonium, and tuba. Poirier does a wonderful job reimagining this work for brass. He drops the key one whole step to B-flat major. He spreads melodic material throughout the ensemble, and a successful performance will require 10 solid brass players. The trumpet parts are the most difficult. The piccolo trumpet part especially requires the negotiation of high, delicate melodies. The horn part contains a lot of melodic material but remains mostly within the staff. The trombone parts are less difficult—often providing accompaniment but interspersed with important melodic material. The bass trombone part is not exceedingly low, but one line contains a low B natural, thus requiring two valves. The euphonium part contains many of the melodies originally for cello and bassoon. It is technically challenging but stays mostly in the middle register.

Poirier has done well with this arrangement. Although each part contains difficulties, the greatest challenge here is overall ensemble playing. Each part must effortlessly cohere to approach the beauty of the original work. An advanced collegiate or professional ensemble will find immense pleasure tackling this challenge.