The very rich and distinctive sound of the classical wind octet: Two Oboes, Two Clarinets, Two Horns, and Two Bassoons, has often inspired musicians to undertake the logistical nightmare of getting eight Players in the same room at the same time, only to find a very small selection of good music to Play.
These arrangements present very readable versions of music that might not be familiar to wind Players because the original instrumentation was either for strings or oddball combinations of instruments.
The guiding principle was to make the music sound as if it had been originally conceived for wind octet, and as a result the finished products are as much adaptations as they are arrangements.
They are designed to be fun to Play for all concerned, so the first and second parts are considerably more balanced than usual. As always, user comments and suggestions are welcomed. Material provided includes a full score in 8½ X 14 landscape format, and eight parts in standard 8½ X 11 vertical format, bound in plastic with hard stock covers. Available unbound by request at $5 off listed price.

W.A. MOZART:

    Two Early Divertimenti:

       K. 113 in E Flat, (four movements), originally scored for a large orchestra, this work is very simple in character. It lends itself perfectly to its original intended use as background or dinner music, but can also be a great source of entertainment for the performers.

       K. 166 in E Flat, (four movements) very similar in character to K. 113 (both were written in Mozart's teen years) but originally scored for pairs of Oboes, English Horns, Clarinets, Horns and Bassoons. This arrangement features the horns, who have some high Playing to do, but alternate lower parts are provided if they choose.

Set of two works, score and parts, $55
Either work separately, $30.

     Three Salzburg Divertimenti:
Divertimento in C MajorK.V. 136,  
Divertimento in B-Flat Major, K.V. 137,  
Divertimento in F Major, K.V. 138  
Written for string orchestra when Mozart was 16, these are very fine examples of classical occasional music. They are good enough to stand up well to concert performance, a use for which they were never intended, having been created as dinner music. The challenge in arranging them for winds was to make them sound as if they were conceived as wind octets, and they seem to work well. The rondo movements are especially effective. Each divertimento has three movements.

Set of three, score and parts, $75.
Each work separately, $30.

Serenade No.10 ("Gran Partita")
This magnificent work for thirteen wind instruments, rarely heard in its original form because of the unusual scoring (which includes prominentuse of two bassethorns) displays Mozart's keen understanding of the wind instruments as used in the 18th century. While his genius as a composer is often discussed, his absolute mastery of orchestration isn't given nearly the mention it deserves. This octet arrangement, while using the chromatic capability of the modern horn and skirting around the need for bassethorns, attempts to retain Mozart's colors as much a possible. As with all of these arrangements, all players, including the second chairs, will have plenty of interesting parts to play. This is a very long work, spanning almost an hour if played in its entirety with all repeats, and can represent an evening's entertainment for the octet all by itself

Set of Eight Parts and Full Score, $75.

ANTONIN DVORAK:
     Serenade in D Minor, Opus 44
          
Rarely heard because of its bizarre original instrumentation, this work is pure Dvorak; tuneful, harmonically rich, and very satisfying to Play or listen to. Particular attention was paid to giving the second Players as much material as the first Players, so this is an especially enjoyable piece for the performers. A comparatively long work, performance can run in the area of 20 - 25 minutes. Clarinets in A are required in several sections. Please specify if you would like the entire part in B Flat at no extra charge. Duplicate Clarinet parts (in A - B Flat and B Flat only) please add $5.

Score and Parts, $60.

Have I got a deal for you !?!" Dept.

OCTET MANIA;
   
    Entire Wind Octet Collection (5 Mozart Divertimenti, Mozart Serenade and Dvorak Serenade) $225