Review

Giuseppe Verdi
Aïda Preludio: for Brass Quintet

Arranged by Thomas Jöstlein

2 C trumpets, horn in F, trombone, tuba

Vancouver, BC, Canada
Publisher: Cherry Classics Music
Date of Publication: 1996 / 2021
URL: http://www.cherryclassics.com

Primary Genre: Brass Ensemble - 5 brass

Thomas Jöstlein has beautifully arranged the “Preludio” from Aida, exquisitely performed on a link at publisher Gordon Cherry’s website by the Metropolitan Opera Brass Quintet.  This 3:20 Verdi masterpiece was written for an advanced Brass Quintet of 2 Trumpets in C, Horn in F, Trombone, and Tuba. Jöstlein has been the Associate Principal Horn of the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra since 2010. Previously, he was the New York Philharmonic's Assistant Principal Horn. His arranging skills demonstrate his experience and fluency with a brass quintet. The arrangement is written in two sharps, the original key and he has kept the exact lines but cleverly manipulated the octaves, usually down, to great effect. Listen to the orchestral version comparing it to his. You will not miss the upper voices.

“Aida”, Verdi’s 26th and most popular opera, tells the story of a tragic love triangle, with the two who love one another dying together in a sealed tomb. Set in ancient Egypt, the opera deals with themes of love and patriotism. Commissioned by the ruler of Egypt to celebrate the opening of the Khedivial (Royal) Opera House in Cairo, it was premiered in Cairo in 1871. After the Cairo premiere Verdi wrote a new overture. When he heard it, he abandoned it in favor of the original simple, beautiful prelude arranged here.

If you want a unique addition to your brass quintet’s library that is really worth the rehearsal effort, I suggest you purchase this prelude. You might also be interested in his arrangement for brass choir of the famous “Grand March from Tannhäuser” also published by Cherry Classics.