Good King Wenceslas

A woodwind quartet for Flute, oboe, and two clarinets with optional parts for flute and alto sax. Plus a set of fifth parts for bassoon or bass clarinet can allow for the piece being a quintet. The first statement is in the clarinets where it leads into a full ensemble passing the lines amongst the parts. A delightful little segue leads to a modulation where the tune is in the lower lines alternated with flourishes in the flutes. This Alternating texture carries on for some time. Then the tempo picks up for a vibrant exclamation where the theme is once again bantered about where it makes one final boast and concludes.

A traditional brass quintet with opt. trumpet for horn and extra baritone for use as a sextet. A piece in Alle Breve, is simply stated in block chords with an active bass line. The first strain, is repeated, and follows traditional march scoring. The second section is a bit slower and again in block chord structure, but this time with a first trumpet obbligato. With a regaining of tempo and style the piece becomes stronger until a grandiose ending.

A traditional brass quintet with opt. trumpet for horn and extra baritone for use as a sextet. The introduction uses extraneous material where it leads in the first theme by the trombone until the theme is passed around in fragments until the them is taken over by the trumpets, and the trombones. A modulation takes place where the theme is in the trombones with flourishes in the trumpets. The trumpets now take the theme with flourishes in the middle voices until the piece ends with a declamatory statement.

Be ye thankful! Written for standard woodwind quintet with optional parts, this piece is highly decorated melodically and active rhythmically. It gives both the sense of majesty and joy.

(2fl,2cl+5th pts)