Mozart – The Sleighride from Thirteen German Dances, K605 No. 3 (Brass Quintet with Sleighbells) – Score Digital Download

At last, a Mozart arrangement that works for brass! A charming ländler but with the colourful addition of a piccolo trumpet that represents the post horn, and a set of tuned sleighbells (that can be replaced by the more commonly found unpitched sleighbells). Great fun for classy Christmas concerts, but needs a piccolo trumpet player capable of holding high notes! Arranged by Stephen Wick.

This short piece was composed for the 15th anniversary celebrations of the Mainstreet Brass quintet in the U.S.A. It is an ideal opener for a variety of occasions. The work is tonal with some note clusters, providing a contemporary edge to its character, while its style alludes to the French school of writers. Following an expectant and anticipatory opening it builds to the main Allegro middle section of the piece. The work closes with echoing references, over a dominant pedal, to the main theme.

This arrangement by Robin Benton uses just two of the numerous themes from Richard Wagner's overture to his 1868 opera The Mastersingers of Nuremberg. The opening theme represents the Mastersingers themselves. This dignified melody is stated and then developed contrapuntally, leading to the second theme - this theme is used in the opera for the entry of the Mastersingers. The music builds to a climax that introduces a short reprise of the majestic Mastersingers theme, and triumphant fanfares bring the piece to a rousing finish.

This piece won the 1995 Gregynog Composers Award at the Gregynog Music Festival, Wales. It was inspired by Miles Davis's version of George Gershwin's Prayer from Porgy and Bess.