Concerto for 2 Trumpets (original key of C): Brass Quintet Score & Parts

This arrangement preserves the brilliance of Vivaldi's original concerto while placing it squarely in the brass quintet repertoire where it belongs. David Marlatt's orchestration respects the solo trumpet parts entirely, letting them sing without alteration, while the supporting voices create a cohesive ensemble sound that challenges the rhythm section and lower brass to lock in with precision. Programmers will appreciate how this serves both as a feature vehicle for strong lead players and as a legitimate ensemble work that showcases brass quintet literature at its finest.

Stately and brilliant. The opening gestures establish the Baroque character immediately, with melodic lines that suggest both nobility and virtuosity. The interplay between the two soloists and the supporting ensemble creates moments of dramatic tension and harmonic richness that feel both intimate and grand.

Brass quintets with strong lead trumpet players and sufficient rehearsal time to balance ensemble work with featured solo writing. This arrangement also serves brass ensembles preparing for contests or festivals where a recognizable Baroque masterwork elevates the program without requiring a full orchestra.

• Balance the solo trumpet lines so they project naturally over the ensemble without forcing volume; the melodic writing carries its own authority when ensemble voices stay proportional.
• Establish the harmonic support early in rehearsal by having the accompanying voices play their parts with the same musicality and shape they would bring to solo lines; this lifts the entire ensemble.
• Attend to articulation consistency across all parts, especially in the rhythmic figures that accompany the solo material; crisp ensemble articulation clarifies the texture and highlights the trumpet soloists.
• Record early and listen together to identify moments where the ensemble is either drowning out the soloists or sitting too far back; Baroque clarity depends on balanced transparency, not dynamic extremes.

Program this as the centerpiece of a Baroque segment, or pair it with other Vivaldi arrangements or period-appropriate works to build a thematic concert around Venetian masters. The medium-difficult rating makes it accessible enough for mid-level quintets while remaining substantial enough to anchor a regional festival performance.

• Baroque articulation and phrasing conventions
• Balancing solo and ensemble textures within the same piece
• Reading and executing figured harmony in supporting parts
• Responding to solo players dynamically while maintaining ensemble cohesion
• Intonation control in sustained harmonic backgrounds