Trompeten-Sextett

From Wind Repertory Project
Oskar Böhme

Oskar Böhme


Subtitle: In E-flat minor, op. 30

This work may also be found under the title Brass Sextet


General Info

Year: 1911
Duration: c. 17:00
Difficulty: VI (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Alfred Music Publishing
Cost: Score and Parts (print) - $10.00

For further availability information, see Discussion tab, above.


Movements

1. Adagio ma non tanto — Allegro molto – 6:05
2. Scherzo: Allegro vivace – 2:10
3. Andante cantabile – 4:35
4. Allegro con spirito - 3:55


Instrumentation

Full Score
B-flat Cornet
B-flat Trumpet I-II
E-flat Bass Trumpet (or Alto Horn)
B-flat Baritone Horn (or Trombone)
Euphonium


Errata

None discovered thus far.


Program Notes

Böhme's sextet was originally called Trompetten-Sextett, and is scored for three trumpets, two trombones and tuba. It is not exactly known when this four-movement sextet was written, but it is considered to originate from Böhme's early years in Russia.

The first movement is a sonata-form movement which opens with a brief adagio preface in the style of a chorale. The allegro uses much close imitation which brings Mendelssohn to mind (especially the introduction to his oratorio Elijah), and the transitional material has a distinct Slavic flavor to it. The movement is built from short, motivic sequences and closes with a fanfare-like flourish in the trumpets. The second movement is a scherzo in E-flat major. The gossamer writing again suggests Mendelssohn (perhaps Böhme was paying tribute to the former director of his alma mater in Leipzig?), but the teasing syncopations and off-beat accents are very Beethoven. The trio is a delectable rustic dance with an agile walking-bass from Böhme's native Germany. The andante cantabile returns to the minor and is loaded with Russian overtones. Although the music does brighten and grow in confidence, it concludes with the unresolved melancholy with which it opened. The finale is a rondo in 6/ 8 time, a movement full of gamesome insouciance, the theme being subject to variation on each of its appearances. Böhme uses highly contrasting episodes, the first of which is allocated to the tuba. After exploring several foreign tonalities, the music finds its way safely back to E flat for the fish of this strong and noble work.

- Program Note from liner notes of Albany CD Asbury Brass Quintet


Commercial Discography


State Ratings

None discovered thus far.


Performances

To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project

  • University of Wisconsin Eau Claire Wind Symphony Brass Ensemble (John R. Stewart, conductor) - 15 May 2021
  • Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Cambridge, Mass.) Chamber Ensemble - 5 December 2020 (Virtual)
  • University of North Texas (Denton) Wind Studies Chamber Winds (Raquel Samayoa, conductor; Daniel Brock, trumpet) - 16 November 2020
  • Pittsburg (Kan.) State University Wind Ensemble - 24 September 2020
  • The Royal Danish Orchestra Brass – 9 April 2017


Works for Winds by This Composer


Resources

None discovered thus far.