Little Concert Piece (Petite Piece Concertante): Brass Quintet Score & Parts

David Marlatt's brass quintet arrangement transforms Balay's beloved cornet showpiece into a piece that reveals something new with each performance. The original solo trumpet part retains its character while the fuller brass texture creates an ideal outlet for intermediate ensembles to explore balanced ensemble writing and the distinct personalities of each brass voice.

The opening unfolds with Romantic-era elegance, moving gently between tonal centers in a way that feels exploratory rather than restless. The March arrives with character and momentum, calling for precision and lightness from the trumpet while the brass around it creates a propulsive but refined accompaniment.

Intermediate brass quintets preparing for festival or competition performances will find this piece a reliable choice that demonstrates both lyrical control and technical facility. Solo trumpet players developing competition repertoire also gain from the full ensemble context, which adds musical depth beyond the original cornet and piano version.

• Shape the opening melody with careful dynamic control; the piece modulates through several key centers, so each section benefits from a slight inflection that mirrors the harmonic journey without sounding disjointed.
• In the March section, keep articulations crisp and light even as the trumpet carries fast passagework. The accompaniment voices should sit back slightly, letting the solo line cut through without forcing the tempo.
• Balance the quintet texture by checking that middle voices (horn and trombone) support the harmonic foundation without masking the trumpet or bass line.

Schedule this as a mid-program brass quintet feature in a mixed concert, pairing it with a contrasting contemporary work or a heavier, more dramatic piece. Its moderate length and immediate appeal make it an excellent choice for festival programming or as a standalone demonstration of quintet artistry at a community concert.

• Balancing solo line with supportive accompanimental textures in brass chamber music
• Navigating key modulations smoothly within a Romantic-era harmonic language
• Executing light, rapid articulations in fast passages while maintaining musical phrasing
• Ensemble cohesion across five voices with distinct registral and timbral roles