Saint-Saëns – Finale from The Carnival of the Animals (Brass Quintet) – Score Digital Download

Written for Thames Brass, a successful professional brass ensemble in which the horn player at the time was one of the composer's former students. Having spent much of his life as a horn player, and having also had the honour of working with the finest players, in Movements for Brass the composer explores the sonorities of brass in a way that is rewarding to play.

Arranged by Tom Whitehurst, this is a joyful and descriptive solo for Tuba, as it tries to emulate the movement of an elephant. For secondary schools, colleges, professionals, amateurs and community performing groups.

The Swan is the most famous movement from The Carnival of the Animals, usually represented by the 'cello which emulates the swan elegantly gliding over the water with only its reflection for company. In this arrangement for brass quintet it is the trombone with its lush tenor sound, that should be played in the style of Tommy Dorsey, that gives the swan its grace. The other instruments accompany the trombone with rolling chords which represent the feet of the swan hidden beneath the water propelling it along. This powerful melody will leave your hair standing up and a tear in your eye.

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.