Rustiques: Brass Quintet Score & Parts

David Marlatt's arrangement transforms one of the most-performed solo trumpet showpieces into a vibrant quintet setting that preserves Bozza's elegant voice while creating something genuinely fresh. The assignment of the trumpet line to flugel horns immediately signals a sonic sophistication that will captivate listeners and performers alike. This is the piece that proves brass quintets don't need to play only original quintet literature to sound spectacular.

Rustiques inhabits a poetic, introspective world that resists easy categorization. The flugel horns' warm tone creates an intimate atmosphere even in the piece's more energetic passages, while Bozza's harmonic language unfolds with quiet sophistication. From its opening phrases to its graceful conclusion, the work feels like a conversation among friends rather than a display of virtuosity.

Brass quintets seeking contest or festival material that combines contemporary credibility with proven musicality will find a natural fit here. The level demands strong ensemble discipline and individual technical command, making this ideal for college ensembles or advanced high school groups preparing for competition or concert performance.

• Balance the flugel horn soloists carefully against the supporting brass voices; these instruments blend easily with each other, so slight dynamic adjustments and seating choices will define the solo line's prominence.
• Approach the melodic phrasing with the vocal sensibility that Bozza intended; this isn't a display piece for technical fireworks, but rather a vehicle for singing through the instrument.
• Coordinate the articulation style between the two flugel horns when they double or respond to each other, treating them as a unified voice rather than two independent parts.
• Allow space for the supporting brass harmonies to resonate; resist the temptation to rush the accompaniment figures, as the richness of Bozza's harmonic language depends on clarity between layers.

Rustiques works beautifully as a centerpiece on a brass quintet concert, offering stylistic contrast to either contemporary avant-garde works or traditional chamber classics. Its moderate length and elegant demeanor also suit it well as an intermission opener or as a bridge between a heavier first half and more playful closing selections. Festival and competition seasons provide natural venues for this piece, where its combination of musical depth and audience appeal pays consistent dividends.

• Lyrical phrasing and breath management in solo contexts
• Ensemble balance and blend in non-traditional voicing (flugel horns supported by French horn, trombone, and tuba)
• Reading and executing modern compositional techniques within a tonal framework
• Collaborative listening between solo and accompanying voices
• Stylistic flexibility in interpreting 20th-century French brass literature