Review

Georges Bizet
Carmen Suite:

Arranged by James Haynor

B-flat piccolo trumpet, 4 B-flat trumpets, 2 F horns, 2 trombones, euphonium, 2 tubas, snare drum, bass drum, 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)

Georges Bizet’s 1875 opera Carmen continues to be among the most popular and frequently-performed operas in the repertoire. Unlike many operas of the time, the plot did not revolve around anything supernatural, mythological, or upper-class in nature, but rather followed more common people like soldiers, factory workers, and its eponymous Gypsy lead character. The French composer’s music, so iconic and familiar to classical music lovers, captured influences from Spanish music popular at the time so well that it is sometimes what people think of when reflecting on music from Spain.

Arranger and trumpet player James Haynor has taken many of the popular melodies from Bizet’s opera and set them for a brass ensemble of twelve players. The configuration is somewhat unusual, and consists of piccolo trumpet in B-flat, 4 B-flat trumpets, two F horns, 2 trombones, euphonium, 2 tubas, snare drum, bass drum, and timpani. While the piccolo trumpet is used somewhat sparingly, it, like the other trumpet parts, requires a player with excellent technique. The four B-flat trumpet parts all take turns with various melodies and require strong players with lyrical skills in addition to technical abilities. While none of the parts are extreme in terms of range, especially the trombone parts, the trumpet players are asked to do far more technical playing than are any of the other players. Haynor includes the majority of Carmen’s most popular melodies, including the Prelude, Aragonaise, Intermezzo, Finale, Habanera, La Garde Montante, and Danse Boheme.

This is another entry in the extensive Cherry Classics catalogue. As such, it contains the easy to read, thoughtful layout that is characteristic of their offerings. This eight and a half minute arrangement will be a nice addition to a brass ensemble concert, though it should be placed in the program order carefully due to the load it puts on the trumpet players.