Sonatine

From Wind Repertory Project
Eugène Bozza

Eugène Bozza


Subtitle: Pour 2 trompettes ut, 1 cor, 1 trombonne et 1 tuba


General Info

Year: 1951
Duration: c. 10:10
Difficulty: V (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Alphonse Leduc
Cost: Score and Parts – Out of print.


Movements

1. Allegro vivo – 2:30
2. Andante ma non troppo 2:20
3. Allegro vivo – 2:00
4. Largo – Allegro vivo – 3:20


Instrumentation

Full Score
B-flat Trumpet I-II
Horn in F
Trombone
Tuba


Errata

None discovered thus far.


Program Notes

Eug6ne Bozza is well known to brass players for his etudes and test pieces. The Sonatine was written in 1951 and is humbly dedicated to the musicians of the Republican Guard.

The first movement, like the Lutoslawski Mini Overture, makes potent use of mixed meters and dove-tailing shapes among the five instruments. The second movement contains a long-breathed melody for the trumpet which soars over a chordal undercarriage. The music seems to get quicker in this Andante but the pulse remains constant, the variations being written in increasingly rapid note values. The third movement is a 'catch-me-if-you can' pace which requires ensemble and a corporate brilliance of technique. John Fletcher, the late tuba player of the Philip Jones Brass Ensemble used to say of this movement: "It contains millions of notes and we plan to play all of them!" The finale opens with an imposing Largo introduction, the material of which was first heard in the second movement (and sounds like a quotation from Shostakovich's Ninth Symphony). The Allegro begins with the tuba stumbling along, not quite sure of the music's key or rhythm, the movement searching its course until all agree it is a Gigue in 6/8 time. Bozza makes this movement an examination of quintet, allowing no room for rest or slackness before the work's dazzling conclusion.

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


Media


State Ratings

  • Texas: Brass Quintet Class I


Performances

To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project

  • Wheaton (Ill.) College Symphonic Band (Timothy Yontz, conductor) – 8 April 2017
  • Atlantic Brass Quintet – 7 August 2015


Works for Winds by This Composer


Resources