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Woodwind Quintet

A standard woodwind quintet (flute, oboe, clarinet, horn and bassoon) is a very versatile ensemble. There are pieces in difficulty level from easy, for elementary and high school players, to difficult, for the more advanced university or professional quintets. With groups such as the AEOLIAN WINDS, this ensemble is sure to maintain its popularity.

ABIDE WITH ME Traditional
ADAGIO by B. Galuppi
ADAGIO AND FUGUE by W. A. Mozart
AIR ON THE G STRING by J.S. Bach
ALLEGRO FROM BASSOON CONCERTO K.191 by W.A. Mozart
CAPRICE by J. Smallman
COMING HOME by J. Smallman
CONSOLATION by F. Mendelssohn
DIVERSIONS by Carmen J. Gassi
ENTRANCE OF THE QUEEN OF SHEBA by G.F. Handel
FOUR INCARNATIONS by Vince Gassi
FOUR NORWEGIAN LYRIC PIECES by E. Greig
THE GYPSIES by J. Burgmuller
LARGO by A. Dvorak
LE BOUFFON TRISTE by H. Savard
LITTLE FUGUE IN G MINOR by J. S. Bach
NORWEGIAN SUITE by E. Grieg
OBOE CONCERTO by T. Albinoni
OH! HAD I JUBAL'S LYRE by G. F. Handel
PUCK by E. Grieg
REVOLUTIONARY QUINTET Based on melodies from the American Revolution, by Norman Phillip Hart
SEABOARD SONGS Various Composers
SONATA FOR BASSOON AND WINDS by B. Marcello
SONATA IN B-flat MAJOR by J. Fasch
SONATINA by M. Clementi
SONG OF THE DEER Chippewa Melody
STEAL AWAY Traditional
TURKEY IN THE STRAW Traditional
WACHET AUF by J. S. Bach
WOODWIND STRUT by R. Stulken

J.S. Bach's Wachet Auf has been arranged almost as many times as Pachelbel's Canon. This new version, in many ways, is far more interesting than the original. The horn has a substantial amount of melodic writing and the oboe and flute playing in octaves create a brilliant texture. Easily accessible to a high school woodwind quintet, this is a great addition to the repertoire for this ensemble.

Rating: Easy

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Jeff Smallman's new piece, Caprice is a spectacular new work for woodwind quintet. Written in 7/8 and 6/8, it is full of melodic and rhythmic interest. Each instrument is featured throughout the piece, exploring the different sound qualities in the various registers. Mr. Smallman's writing for woodwinds is both musical and inventive and this piece is no exception.

Rating: Medium-Difficult

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A new arrangement of this piano favourite, The Gypsies works well for this versatile ensemble. The melody is passed throughout the group but none of the parts are too difficult. It is a character piece depicting the mysterious nature of gypsies on their travels and is sure to be enjoyed by audiences.

Rating: Easy

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This is a bassoon feature to show off the "clown of the orchestra". Colourful chords and wonderful bassoon writing, this is an ideal piece to allow the bassoonist to shine on a concert or recital. This would also make a great contest piece for woodwind quintet.

Rating: Medium

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This has been adapted from a very famous piano piece and the beautiful flowing melody lends itself well to the woodwind quintet. This is an excellent piece to develop a good sound, blend, balance and phrasing within the ensemble. All parts are accessible to players with limited experience but the beauty of the original is not sacrificed for ease of playing.

Rating: Easy

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After the popularity of David Marlatt's arrangement of this great piece for brass choir, he was asked to create an arrangement for woodwind quintet. The oboe is the main soloist and the elegance of this famous piece translates perfectly for an all woodwind ensemble.

Rating: Easy-Medium

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This orignally was an aria for soprano but for this arrangement, Jennifer Stevens has given the solo line to the flute. The remainder of the ensemble perform the string parts, supporting with a steady idiomatic Baroque pulse. With some ornaments already included, this is very successful flute feature.

Rating: Easy-Medium

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Originally a piano piece, Adagio has been elegantly arranged for woodwind quintet. Not difficult for any player, this piece is great for a high school level ensemble or a more advanced group looking to programme a beautiful piece that requires very little rehearsal time. The work plays itself and seems very natural in this woodwind setting.

Rating: Easy-Medium

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This is an ideal concert or contest piece. There are four short lyric songs by Greig that are all different in style and mood, each unique and interesting. Using traditional harmonies and colourful orchestrations, Kenneth Bray has produced another brilliant arrangement. This set of pieces could be learned and performed by a good high school quintet or by a university or professional group looking to put something a little different on a programme.

Rating: Easy-Medium

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Kenneth Bray has taken a Mozart masterpiece and brilliantly adapted it for woodwind quintet. This is a challenging work that is full of the flair and colour that is so typically Mozart. The Adagio opening has the melodic material passing all through the ensemble and Fugue, marked Allegro, demonstrates the technical abilities of the woodwinds. All parts are interesting with significant sections of soloistic passages for each. This is truly a new gem for the woodwind quintet.

Rating: Difficult

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This is a beautiful Baroque solo that has been a favourite for oboists is now available for woodwind quintet. The solo line is unaltered and the strings parts are given to the remainder of the ensemble. The colours of the woodwinds make the original string parts even more interesting. Full of Italian charm, this Albinoni Concerto will be very well received by audiences.

Rating: Medium-Difficult

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This is one of the most famous pieces of music ever written. Various arrangements have been done including several for orchestra, wind ensemble and brass quintet. This is a lighter version featuring all the members in the ensemble. The contrapuntal lines are passed all through the group and each instrument has several soloistic moments. This is another terrific arrangement by Jenn Stevens.

Rating: Medium

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Sonata in B-flat Major was originally scored for recorder, oboe, violin, and continuo but it seems to work very naturally for woodwind quintet. The clarinet performs the violin line and the horn plays an accompanying continuo line with the bassoon. There are 4 movements to this Sonata and each could be played alone at a wedding or church service. None of the parts are too difficult in this Baroque piece and all are interesting. There are hints of Bach's famous Brandenburg Concerti in this writing and it is a delight to play or to listen to.

Rating: Medium-Difficult

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Seaboard Songs is a brilliant arrangement of several Canadian folksongs. Included in this medley are Blow Ye Winds of the Morning, The Stormy Scenes of Winter, A Great Sea, She's Like the Swallow, A Kangaroo Sat on an Oar, The Petty Harbour Bait Skiff, The Hornpipe, and The Nova Scotia Song. This very difficult arrangement has been recorded by the AEOLIAN WINDS based in London, Ontario.

Rating: Difficult

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This is an ideal concert or contest piece. Using traditional harmonies and colourful orchestrations, Kenneth Bray has produced another brilliant arrangement. This piece could be learned and performed by a good high school quintet or by a university or professional group looking to put something a little different on a programme.

Rating: Medium

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Turkey in the Straw is true hoe-down music and should be played with the energy of square dancers. The syncopated rhythms combined with the short crisp articulations make this a fun tune for both listener and performer. In this spirit of fun, a solo has been given to the bassoon through the middle section.

Rating: Medium

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Taken from a single line of Chippewa music, Kenneth Bray has harmonized this tune and arranged it for woodwind quintet. Mr. Bray has very successfully arranged this music for choir and this version for woodwinds maintains the song-like quality. This beautiful melody is very playable by young players thanks to this great new arrangement.

Rating: Easy

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Clementi wrote this famous Sonatina for solo piano. The first movement has been taken and skilfully arranged by Jennifer Stevens. Short duet passages and several solo lines keep the top three voices interesting while the horn and bassoon maintain the foundation for the technical melody line. Fun and ideal for the woodwind quintet!

Rating: Medium

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This famous and exciting piece would make a great opening to a concert or it could even be used as a recessional at a wedding service. The technical parts flow very nicely and sound more difficult than they are.

Rating: Medium-Difficult

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This is an excellent character piece originally written for piano. It is full of interest, colour and energy with melody found in all parts from the flute to the bassoon. This short work would make an excellent change of mood on a concert or would also work well at student concerts as young children could identify with the almost mystical character of the piece.

Rating: Medium

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This piece (originally for cello and strings) has become a standard in the solo bassoon literature. The solo part has been altered slightly and the string parts have found their way into the other wind parts. This is a piece to let the bassoon player in the group shine.

Rating: Medium

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Woodwind Strut is based upon a bassoon ostinato with horn embellishment. The upper woodwinds provide a flowing melody with harmonic and rhythmic structure developing throughout the piece. The center section showcases the reeds with a jazz feel punctuated by tall chords. The ending is a live equivalent of a fade-out, with a slightly unexpected finish.

Rating: Medium-Difficult

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This beautiful hymn has been arranged to feature all the members in a quintet. This arrangement opens with a short introduction then proceeds through several verses. Each verse is scored differently for interest with the melody wandering throughout the ensemble.

Rating: Easy-Medium

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Spirituals have found their way into the standard repertoire of vocalists and instrumentalists. The lyrical tunes combined with the powerful message they tell affect us all. This is a simple and beautiful melody that is kept in the traditional chorale-style in this arrangement. This is not very difficult at all and the bassoon has some interesting moving lines to propel the work along.

Rating: Easy-Medium

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This work is approachable by players in the first year or two of playing. The range is limited and the technical requirements are not too great. This is a fun piece that younger players will be sure to enjoy.

Rating: Easy-Medium

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This is the most famous movement from the Orchestral Suite No. 3. The beautiful melody flows throughout the ensemble giving everyone something interesting to do.

Rating: Easy-Medium

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This is a standard piece of repertoire for the bassoon. In this chamber setting, Mozart's genius is apparent with the interchanging lines and solo and supporting roles of the entire ensemble. This is a showpiece for the bassoon but great to play for all members.

Rating: Medium-Difficult

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Revolutionary Quintet was commissioned in 1976 by the Mounmouth Wind Quintet for woodwind quintet and piano. Mr. Hart has cleverly combined many pieces from the American Revolution to create a colorful montage for winds and piano. At 8 1/2 minutes, this is a substantial and important piece now added to the repertoire.

Rating: Medium-Difficult

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Set in four movements, this challenging work for woodwind quintet musically explores various geometric concepts. The titles of each movement (Displacement, Parallels, Increments, and Obtusis Angularis) aptly describe the thematic development contained therein. Quartal harmony, tone clusters and intricately written melodies give this suite a delightfully fresh sound.

Rating: Medium-Difficult

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This piece, set in 3 movements, is full of texture and colour changes and makes the most of the sonorities available to a woodwind quintet. Clever original writing and some subtle musical humour add a lot to the appeal of this work.

Rating: Medium-Difficult

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