Concerto for 2 Trumpets (transposed into B-flat): Brass Quintet Score & Parts

This arrangement solves a real programming need: it allows brass quintets to feature two lead trumpets prominently without losing the richness that comes from a full ensemble texture. David Marlatt's transposition into B-flat preserves the brilliance of Vivaldi's original writing while keeping the solo parts unaltered, so your first and second chairs play exactly what they've prepared. For contest or festival settings, this piece delivers both the sophisticated elegance of Baroque masterwork literature and the crowd-pleasing energy that showcases your section's strongest players.

Brilliant and energetic, with the characteristic rhythmic precision of Vivaldi's writing. The Baroque idiom feels both historic and immediate, driven by clear harmonic motion and dance-like rhythms that give the piece forward momentum. The solo trumpet writing soars with the kind of effortless lyricism that defined the late Baroque, while the supporting quintet texture provides warmth and harmonic foundation without ever retreating into accompaniment.

Brass quintets with capable first and second trumpet players who want to program a major work that features their strongest soloists. This arrangement is equally suited to competitive festivals, concert recitals, or educational settings where ensemble musicians need experience playing alongside featured soloists. Directors seeking Baroque literature that engages both the ensemble and individual performers will find this an accessible yet musically substantive choice.

• Balance the solo trumpets so they cut through without overshadowing the supporting brass voices; the quintet voices should enhance rather than compete with the featured parts.
• Shape the characteristic Vivaldi rhythms crisply in the ensemble; clear articulation in the supporting parts helps the soloists maintain clarity at faster tempos.
• Maintain period-appropriate phrasing in the solo parts: lean into the baroque dance character rather than romantic expression, allowing the natural architecture of the melodic line to shine.
• Coordinate breathing passages between the two trumpet soloists carefully during sustained sections so the line feels unified rather than fragmented.

Program this as a centerpiece in a festival or concert program where you want to feature both your trumpet section's technical skill and your ensemble's ability to support featured soloists with sophisticated accompaniment. It works well paired alongside other Baroque works or as a contrast to contemporary brass quintet literature. The piece is substantial enough to stand as a complete set's highlight without requiring supplementary material.

• Balancing solo and ensemble voices within a quintet texture
• Performing Baroque ornamentation and phrasing conventions
• Sustaining clean intonation across both fast passagework and sustained harmonic sections
• Responding to featured soloists while maintaining rhythmic precision in supporting parts
• Reading and executing period-appropriate articulation and style