Comfort Ye and Every Valley (from Messiah): Brass Quintet Score & Parts

Name: Comfort Ye and Every Valley (from Messiah ): Brass Quintet Score & Parts
Brand: Alfred Music
SKU: 81-BQ967
Price: 17.00 USD
Availability: InStock

Trombone/Euphonium Feature

By George Frederic Handel / arr. David Marlatt

Level: Difficult

Item: 81-BQ967

$17.00

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George Frederic Handel wrote his most famous oratorio, Messiah, in a little over three weeks. There is little doubt that this work is one of the most famous and often performed choral pieces in history. Handel conducted many performances in his day and there never seemed to have been a period when the work was not played. These selections feature the tenor voice of the quintet - the euphonium (or trombone).

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1 Comfort Ye --:--

2 Every Valley --:--

Comfort Ye

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Series: Eighth Note Publications

Publisher: Eighth Note Publications

ISBN10: 1-55472-184-9

ISBN13: 978-1-55472-184-9

UPC: 685462003433

SKU: 81-BQ967

Instrumentation: Brass Quintet

More about this title

About the Composer: George Frederic Handel

George Frideric Handel (1685-1759) was a German-born composer who spent most of his career in England, becoming a central figure in the development of Baroque opera, oratorio, and instrumental music. His works span nearly every musical genre of his time, from operas and concertos to keyboard pieces, and his influence on subsequent generations of composers was profound.

Handel's Messiah stands apart in the oratorio tradition for its emotional directness and accessibility. Composed in 1741, it marked a shift toward English-language oratorio at a time when Italian opera seria dominated the London stage. The work's continued performance tradition—uninterrupted since Handel's own lifetime—testifies to its enduring power and the universal appeal of its theological themes.

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Why we love this

These paired choruses showcase two of the most recognizable melodies in sacred music, and Marlatt's arrangement captures the grandeur of Handel's original scoring while centering the brass quintet's character. The euphonium or trombone carries the lyrical tenor line, giving lower brass players a chance to sing with genuine musical weight rather than support the harmony. A brass quintet version of Messiah opens doors to Christmas programming that feels both reverent and distinctive.

What to expect

Handel's music radiates clarity and purpose. These movements open with tenderness in the recitative, then build into exultant declaration, with flowing passagework that feels inevitable rather than ornamental. The brass quintet's warmth softens the work's formality while its precision amplifies the music's geometric beauty.

Who it's for

Brass quintets seeking sacred repertoire that commands attention and celebrates familiar yet sophisticated material. Players comfortable with Baroque phrasing and sustained tone will find these movements rewarding for both performance and audience connection.

How to get the most out of it

Shape the opening recitative "Comfort Ye" with careful attention to text declamation; the rhythm serves the words first, not the other way around.
Balance the tutti passages so the lead voice remains audible without forcing; Baroque counterpoint relies on clarity of line, not volume differential.
Bring the faster passagework in "Every Valley" to life with articulation that feels spoken rather than mechanical; this music describes rising up and should feel buoyant.
Let the ensemble breathe as a unified body, particularly in the longer phrases where wind players naturally need air management; coordinated breath breaks strengthen ensemble cohesion.

How to use it

Pair these movements as a concert centerpiece during holiday season programming, or use them to frame a mixed sacred repertoire set where Baroque counterpoint balances contemporary works. The familiarity of Messiah draws audiences in immediately, giving your ensemble credibility and goodwill before moving into less-known material.