VanguardTV: Preludio from Violin Partita No. 3, BWV 1006 by J.S. Bach

I’ve always loved the cheerful Preludio of J.S. Bach’s third partita for solo violin. I was inspired to arrange it for Vanguard Reed Quintet after hearing a fantastic recording by the Masato Kumoi Sax Quartet. The quartet’s bold and symphonic reimagining of Bach’s solo piece struck me, and I couldn’t wait to hear what it sounded like for reed quintet. I soon discovered that this arrangement was based largely on Rachmaninoff’s arrangement for solo piano. Not only that, but Bach had re-tooled the bubbly opening theme himself as the instrumental overture to his Cantata BWV 29. This arrangement is based closely on Rachmaninoff’s version for solo piano, but I’ve borrowed ideas from a few other arrangements and added some flair of my own.

It’s been a long, difficult year without live music and without the ability to gather with friends and family. Listening to this piece always lifts my spirits, and I hope this little arrangement can bring some joy and optimism as we look forward to gathering again. Enjoy!

VanguardTV: Splinter, II. Sugar Maple by Marc Mellits

"Sugar Maple," the second movement of Splinter by Marc Mellits, is another one of our favorite movements from this piece. This movement especially highlights the reed quintet's ability to sound homogeneous. From the beginning, the bassoon and bass clarinet play alternating patterns that create a composite texture. The saxophone and clarinet at first join in with interjections but then also fall into the texture set up by the bass instruments. When the oboe enters, it's something completely different, with a soaring melody over the other instruments' perpetual motion. "Sugar Maple" is an excellent exercise in blending, and it's a fun and energetic movement that we love playing! We hope you enjoy it!