Variations on a Theme of Josef Haydn (for Brass Quintet)

"Variations on a Theme of Josef Haydn" is one of Brahms' most popular works, expertly arranged here for Brass Quintet by American composer P. F. Strohm. Brahms wrote this piece in the summer of 1873, first for two pianos then as an orchestral work. It is well-known for its unique five-measure phrasing of the chorale, which is used throughout the piece. Brahms kept this basic structure while developing the material in each variation, creating ten related-but-separate musical gems. This works out well for brass players, as individual variations range from just under a minute to just over three minutes for the finale. The piece is a joy to perform. The variations can be combined at will to fit performer skills for recitals, concerts and contests. Played in its entirety, "Variations on a Theme of Josef Haydn" is a striking concert showpiece with a typical performance time of 17:50. This third edition of the arrangement has uses a new font, clarifies some accidentals, and improves the part layouts. Difficulty level for the piece varies between Medium and Medium-Advanced. Member, ASCAP.