Trumpet Sonata (B-flat version): Brass Quintet Score & Parts

This arrangement democratizes one of the most celebrated trumpet works in the repertoire. By transposing into B-flat concert pitch, David Marlatt makes the piece playable on standard brass quintet instrumentation without sacrificing the brilliance and dignity of Purcell's original conception. Trumpeters and audiences both respond to this music, making it an ideal choice for contest programs or formal recitals.

Ceremonial yet intimate, the Sonata opens with a stately trumpet declaration that alternates between dignity and virtuosic display. The supporting brass create a warm harmonic foundation that lets the trumpet soar while keeping the texture elegant rather than orchestral.

Intermediate to advanced brass quintets seeking a work that commands respect in both casual and formal settings. Trumpet players who want to perform a Baroque masterpiece without technical requirements that only piccolo specialists can meet.

• Balance the trumpet part with the supporting voices by having horn, trombone, and tuba players listen actively to the melodic line rather than playing mechanically. Purcell's counterpoint rewards ensemble cohesion.
• Shape the phrases as you would in a vocal work, breathing naturally at logical cadences and allowing rubato to emerge in passage work without losing the underlying Baroque pulse.
• Reference the original piccolo trumpet version to understand Purcell's original registral intentions; this will help you determine where brightness or warmth serves the music best in B-flat.

Pair this with contemporary brass writing to highlight Purcell's enduring relevance, or position it as the centerpiece of a Baroque-focused concert. Its moderate length and familiar brilliance make it an excellent opener or closer for festival competitions.

• Playing Baroque melodic style with proper phrasing and ornamentation on modern brass instruments
• Balancing a featured trumpet line within a quintet texture
• Understanding transposition and how scoring choices affect ensemble accessibility
• Listening for and executing precise harmonic intonation across five independent parts