Prelude No. 4 Op. 8 Cover Image

Prelude No. 4 Op. 8: Brass Quintet Score & Parts

$15.00 USD
$15.00 USD
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Prelude No. 4 Op. 8 Cover Image
Prelude No. 4 Op. 8: Brass Quintet Score & Parts

Prelude No. 4 Op. 8: Brass Quintet Score & Parts

By Frederic Chopin / arr. Jon Bubbett

Level: Medium

Item: 81-BQ223556
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Description
Prelude No. 4 by Frederic Chopin is one of the 24 preludes for piano. It is a very short but beautiful melody full of longing and sadness. By his request, this piece was played at his own funeral, along with Mozart's Requiem. Try out this arrangement by Jon Bubbett for brass quintet (trumpet 1 & 2, French horn, trombone, tuba). (2:20)

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Additional Details
Publisher: Eighth Note Publications
ISBN10: 1-77157-930-7
ISBN13: 978-1-77157-930-8
UPC: 685462029310
SKU: 81-BQ223556
Instrumentation: Brass Quintet: trumpet 1 & 2, French horn, trombone, tuba

More about this title

About the Composer: Frederic Chopin

Frédéric Chopin (1810-1849) transformed the piano into an instrument of profound intimacy and technical innovation. His 24 Preludes, Op. 28, stand among the most significant works in the keyboard repertoire, each exploring different keys and emotional territories with remarkable concision. Chopin's music prioritizes lyrical expression and harmonic subtlety over virtuosic display, making his melodies endlessly singable and his harmonic language accessible to arrangers seeking to preserve emotional depth across different ensembles.

Why we love this

This arrangement captures the intimacy and vulnerability of Chopin's original without losing its essential character. The prelude's brevity and emotional directness translate beautifully to brass, where the lower voices can sustain the harmonic foundation while the trumpets deliver the yearning melody. It's a sophisticated choice for concert programming that audiences will recognize, yet few conductors program it, making it a memorable repertoire addition.

What to expect

Melancholic and introspective, the piece unfolds with the quiet dignity of a private moment. The melody breathes with longing while the harmonic structure creates subtle shifts in color and mood, never rushing, never demanding, simply present with its sadness and beauty.

Who it's for

Brass quintet ensembles at the intermediate level seeking repertoire with genuine artistic substance. This arrangement works equally well for advanced high school quintets, college brass ensembles, and community brass groups looking to expand beyond standard quintet fare with music audiences recognize and respect.

How to get the most out of it

  • Shape the melodic line as you would a vocal phrase, allowing natural breath points in the trumpet parts to create phrasing that mirrors how a singer would interpret Chopin's original.
  • Balance the texture so the inner voices support without overwhelming the trumpet line. The trombone and horn carry essential harmonic color, not accompaniment.
  • Sustain a consistent, unhurried tempo throughout. Chopin's emotional weight comes from stillness and transparency, not momentum.
  • Listen for tuning in the sustained chords, particularly in the mid-range where French horn, trombone, and trumpet 2 interact. Chopin's harmony rewards precise intonation.

How to use it

Program this as a concert opener to set a reflective tone, or pair it with contrasting jubilant brass works to showcase range. At 2:20, it fits naturally into any concert length and serves as an excellent bridge between popular and art music repertoire for audiences encountering Chopin in a new instrumental setting.

Skills your students will build

  • Sustaining long phrases with natural phrasing and breath management across the quintet
  • Balancing ensemble sonority where every voice contributes to harmonic color
  • Interpreting Romantic-era harmonic language and understanding voice-leading in arranged settings
  • Performing with restraint and dynamic subtlety at softer dynamic levels

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