Review

Camille Saint-Saëns
Danse Macabre: for Brass Quintet

Arranged by Ross Holcombe

2 trumpets in C, horn in F, trombone, tuba

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Publisher: Cherry Classics Music
Date of Publication: 2014 / 2022
URL: http://www.cherryclassics.com

Score and parts

Primary Genre: Brass Ensemble - 5 brass

This arrangement for brass quintet gives an accurate rendering of a nuanced multi-layered score. Given the musical complexities presented to the ensemble, this version is not for the faint of heart. The tempo, which is in 3/4 dotted half note = 69, is challenging. Each part must negotiate eighth notes at this tempo. The trombone part barely gets out of the staff, and the first trumpet part ranges up to a high C.

The biggest hurdle in the arrangement for any ensemble is the absence of coloristic and programmatic aspects of the orchestral version. It becomes nearly impossible to derive the full impact of Saint-Saens’ most popular tone poem. One longs for the xylophone depicting dancing skeletons and the alternately acerbic and lush violin solos, along with other timbral effects. The shock one experiences is similar to that of hearing the original piano version of Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition, after listening to Ravel’s robust and enchanting orchestration of the piece. That said, the quandary of performing a reduction of the original version or not performing the music at all, is a decision inherent in any arrangement.

Ross Holcomb’s arrangement is dedicated to the Vermont Brass Quintet. The score calls for trumpets in C.