Concerto (from L'estro Armonico, Op 3 #9 RV230): 6 Trumpets Score & Parts

Vivaldi's concerto writing translates brilliantly to trumpet ensemble, and David Marlatt's arrangement captures the essential virtuosity and drama of the original without losing the work's Baroque integrity. The flexible key options mean you can transpose to whatever suits your section's range and ability, making this genuinely playable for strong high school groups through professional brass quintets.

Effervescent and showy, with rapid solo runs that dance above steady harmonic support from the five supporting trumpets. The alternation between brilliant passagework and stately tutti sections creates a satisfying sense of drama and release that feels both intimate and grand.

This arrangement suits advanced high school trumpet sections and collegiate brass ensembles seeking a work that sounds both historically informed and modern in its brass sound. Contest and festival programs benefit from the combination of virtuosic solo writing and full ensemble spectacle that Vivaldi provides.

• Balance the featured trumpet against the ensemble throughout the tutti sections; Baroque writing expects the solo voice to cut through even in full voice, so test microphone placement or strategic seating if you're performing in a large venue.
• Articulate consistently across all six players during the rapid passage work. Establish whether you're using single or double tonguing early in rehearsal and drill that section vertically until the attacks align.
• Shape the phrase endings with a slight taper in dynamics rather than a hard cutoff. Baroque music breathes through the phrasing, and this sensibility applies even in a brass transcription.
• Experiment with the key that puts the solo trumpet in a comfortable tessitura without forcing transposition to extremes. If you have strong piccolo trumpet players, higher keys can add brilliance; lower keys suit ensembles with a more traditional high-note focus.

Position this late in a concert program where it can serve as a crowd-pleasing finale or showcase moment for your principal trumpet. It pairs well with other Baroque transcriptions or with contemporary brass works, offering audiences both familiar musical language and the visceral thrill of six trumpets in unified purpose.

• High-register playing with clarity and accuracy
• Rapid articulation and tonguing patterns across extended runs
• Baroque phrasing and stylistic awareness in an unfamiliar context
• Ensemble balance and listening to multiple voice parts simultaneously
• Transposition flexibility across multiple keys