Five Concertinos: Woodwind Quintet Parts

These five concertinos sit at the intersection of accessibility and musical substance, offering woodwind quintets a set of works that sound sophisticated without requiring virtuosic pyrotechnics. Each piece is self-contained but cohesive as a collection, giving you real programming flexibility for festival seasons, chamber concerts, or competitions. The writing respects the ensemble's voice and lets each player shine.

The Five Concertinos occupy a graceful space between traditional chamber writing and modern idiom. The music engages without alienating, offering rewarding lines for each player while maintaining the cohesion and interdependence that makes chamber music special.

These parts suit advanced high school quintets and college-level ensembles ready for contemporary chamber literature. Festival and competition settings are natural homes for this collection, though they also work beautifully on recital programs where you want to showcase ensemble sophistication and musicianship.

• Balance the lines carefully in passages where all five voices carry melodic material; the Faber score will guide you, but rehearsal time spent on voice leading pays dividends in ensemble blend.
• Attend to the harmonic language, which often moves subtly rather than dramatically; intonation and stillness in longer notes anchor the modern idiom.
• Each concertino has its own character; mark tempo relationships and character indications clearly so transitions between pieces feel intentional rather than abrupt.
• Record yourselves early in the rehearsal process to hear how the ensemble balance reads in the hall, especially in the quieter or more sparse textures.

Program these as a set during a chamber concert or festival to create a focused statement about your ensemble's artistry and range. Alternatively, select individual concertinos to pair with Baroque or Classical quintet literature, letting the Matthews pieces show how the tradition has evolved while maintaining its core values.

• Reading contemporary harmonic language and non-functional harmony
• Ensemble intonation in textures with sustained harmonies
• Phrase shaping and character interpretation across diverse musical contexts
• Balancing individual lines within a unified ensemble texture
• Collaborative interpretation without relying on conductor cues