Product Description
This arrangement of Variations on a Theme of Haydn by Johannes Brahms was inspired by
both the op. 56a, the orchestral version, and op. 56b, the two-piano duet. In order to create the woodwind quintet
arrangement that was as authentic as possible to both of the original forms, it was
invaluable to understand and utilize both the orchestral colors Brahms created within his
Haydn Variations, but also to apply the texture of the two-piano duet to accommodate
writing for five voices.
As a classically trained oboist, I was also inspired by other arrangements of large-scale
orchestral works for woodwind quintet which provides a setting where difficult orchestral
passages can be rehearsed in preparation for orchestral auditions. Within the Haydn
Variations, there is a notoriously difficult second oboe part in the opening chorale regularly
asked for in second oboe auditions. In my first version, I kept the second oboe part intact
and gave the melody line to the clarinet. In order to still provide an
opportunity for the oboist in the quintet version to practice the original second oboe line, I
have provided alternate parts to the chorale for the oboe and the clarinet parts.
This product was created by a member of ArrangeMe, Hal Leonard's global self-publishing community of independent composers, arrangers, and songwriters. ArrangeMe allows for the publication of unique arrangements of both popular titles and original compositions from a wide variety of voices and backgrounds.