Bach-Vivaldi Concerto, BWV 972 and Opus 3, No. 9, RV230: Brass Quintet Score & Parts

David Marlatt's transcription transforms Vivaldi's brilliant solo concerto writing into a vehicle for brass color and virtuosic display, splitting the flashy piccolo trumpet line between two players for textural variety. The piece retains everything that makes Vivaldi's original sing---the propulsive rhythms, the memorable solo gestures, the contrast between solo and tutti sections---while exploiting the penetrating brilliance and tuning stability that brass quintet offers. It's a concert piece with real stakes and audience appeal.

Vivacious and ornate. The music sparkles with Baroque energy and transparent counterpoint, yet the brass quintet voicing adds warmth and weight that the original violin line alone could not provide. Moments of brilliant passage work alternate with stately, singing sections, creating a satisfying arc of display and repose.

Brass quintets seeking contest or festival repertoire that combines technical difficulty with proven musical substance. This arrangement serves intermediate-advanced ensembles who can navigate the piccolo trumpet writing and maintain clarity in rapid figuration.

• Balance the piccolo trumpet duet so that the shared solo line feels continuous and intentional rather than handed off. Rehearse the transition points carefully to ensure articulation and phrasing align between the two players.
• Use the tutti sections to reset the ensemble's rhythmic focus. Brass quintets can rush or drag during elaborate solo passages; the collective playing will ground the ensemble and remind players of the underlying pulse.
• Shape the solo line with clear phrase direction and dynamic arc. Vivaldi's melodies breathe; avoid mechanical phrasing even when the passages are technically demanding.
• Let the organ's original function inform your approach to balance. The trombone and tuba foundation should support and color the solo work without overwhelming it, much as a harpsichord would in the Baroque context.

Program this as a standalone concert piece or festival entry where its technical brilliance and Baroque pedigree will impress adjudicators and audiences alike. It also works well on a chamber concert that pairs Baroque and early Classical material, or as a centerpiece in a program exploring different eras of concerto writing.

• Rapid articulation and finger dexterity across all brass voices
• Ensemble balance and blend in fast passage work
• Stylistically informed phrasing of Baroque melodic contours
• Coordination of solo and tutti sections with clear ensemble awareness
• Piccolo trumpet intonation and tone control in the upper register