Review

Antonio Corelli
Concerto No.6 Op.6:

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Publisher: Wehr's Music House
Date of Publication: 2006
URL: http://www.wehrs-music-house.com

Score and parts

Primary Genre: Brass Ensemble - 5 brass

Arcangelo Corelli's Concerti for strings have been the source for numerous brass transcriptions over the years. The work here is transcribed into A-flat for standard brass quintet. Movements are short and Bailey alternates the top line between the two trumpet players. He also keeps the doubling of the trombone and tuba lines to a minimum, which keeps the piece light and the tuba player interested. By the nature of the piece most of the musical action is in the trumpet parts, but still the inner parts are challenging. Occasionally some of the technical passages in the second trumpet part end at the bar line without resolving into the next beat, which can be awkward to play. I applaud the transcriber's decision to keep editorial markings, articulations, dynamics, etc., to a minimum and let the musicians use common sense in interpretation.

Parts are easy to read with good print quality. There are no rehearsal numbers but the score and parts have measure numbers at the beginning of each staff. The score is printed in C, which requires some thinking on the player's part; also for some reason the composer's first name is incorrect in the score and parts but given correctly on the short bio on the back page. Notes consist of one paragraph on Corelli but nothing about the work itself.

Overall this is a well written transcription that gives the listener a good glimpse of the high Baroque era. There are a few high b-flats1 in the first trumpet part and one high c1 in the tuba part, which makes it appropriate for a college brass quintet. I judge it to be a grade five overall: moderately difficult for the trumpets because of the technical nature of the work, but easier for the inner and lower parts. 

-David Mathie
Boise State University