Product Description
Recordare (from "Requiem" (K. 626) - Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart/Franz Xaver Sussmayr - Saxophone Septet - Advanced/Intermediate - Digital Download.
"Hauntingly beautiful" is how the "Recordare" from Mozart's "Requiem" is often described. Originally written for an orchestra and four vocal soloists, it has now been transcribed by Regis Bookshar for a Saxophone Septet, consisting of 1 Soprano Saxophone, 3 Alto Saxophones and 3 Tenor Saxophones, and would be a wonderful addition to any music library. This arrangement will provide students with the opportunity to practice breath control because of its long, sustained phrases, This selection could be performed for concerts, recitals and church services and is suitable for high school and college students but professional musicians would also enjoy playing this arrangement. Included are a score and a complete set of parts (40 pages). The Regis Bookshar Trumpet Ensemble has performed the Trumpet Quintet version of the "Recordare" for funerals, providing beautiful, introspective music for the occasion.
There is some controversy surrounding the circumstances of the "Requiem's" composition because Mozart died before he could complete it. Count Franz von Walsegg had commissioned a "Requiem Mass" but Mozart had received only half of the payment in advance. So, upon his death on December 5th, 1791, his widow, Constanze, wished to have the work completed secretly by someone else and submit it to the count as having been completed by Mozart to collect the final payment. Joseph von Eybler was one of the first composers to be asked to complete the score and had worked on a number of movements but felt unable to complete the remainder and gave the manuscript back to Constanze Mozart. The task was then given to another composer, Franz Xaver Sussmayr. Sussmayr borrowed some of Eybler's work in making his completion, added his own orchestration to other movements and added several new movements which a Requiem Mass would normally comprise. He then added a final section by adapting the opening two movements which Mozart had written to the different words which finish the Requiem Mass, which according to both Sussmayr and Mozart's wife, was done according to Mozart's directions. The completed score, initially by Mozart but largely finished by Sussmayr, was then dispatched to Count Walsegg complete with a counterfeited signature of Mozart dated 1792. Despite the controversy over how much of the music is actually Mozart's, the commonly performed Sussmayr version has become widely accepted by the public, and is considered one of Mozart's finest compositions. The "Recordare" is considered by many people to be one of the most beautiful compositions in Mozart's entire catalogue.
Regis Bookshar, a trumpet player, has performed the "Requiem" in concert with a full orchestra, soloists and a chorus and felt that other musicians should have the opportunity to play the "hauntingly beautiful" "Recordare" as well. So, in addition to this arrangement for a Saxophone Septet, he has made quite a few other arrangements of this beautiful composition. There are Quintets, Sextets, Septets and Octets readily available for a wide variety of instrumental ensembles. Please take the time to look for other versions of this composition. You may fine something else which may also suit your needs.
I would also encourage you to search for other arrangements by Regis Bookshar as well, as there are numerous arrangements in a variety of styles, also available for purchase. You may find something else which might interest you. Please continue to check periodically because new arrangements are being added as often as possible. I'm certain that this beautiful arrangement of Mozart's "Recordare", will continue to entertain both performers and audiences alike for years to come.
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.