Eugène Bozza: Sonatine (Quintet-Brass)
Having won many prizes at the Paris Conservatoire during the 1920s-1930s, Eugène Bozza went on to conduct the orchestra of the Opéra-Comique and to become Head of the Conservatoire in Valenciennes. As a major figure on the classical music frontline, Bozza 's compositions were well-received by audiences, Sonatina for Two Trumpets, 1 Cornet, 1 Trombone and 1 Tuba being no exception. This Bozza piece for brass is characteristically French, with lyrical and graceful melodies contrasted by fast, flourishing, staccato semiquaver passages. As music educationalist, Paul Griffiths has written of Bozza 's compositions, "his works reveal melodic fluency, elegance of structure and a consistenly sensitive concern of instrumental capabilities." Comprising four movements, Sonatina for Two Trumpets, 1 Cornet, 1 Trombone and 1 Tuba is an exciting, alternative addition to the brass ensemble repertoire.
