Espana Rhapsody

España Rhapsody
Composed by Emmanuel Chabrier
Arranged by Bill Holcombe and Bill Holcombe Jr.
For Woodwind Quintet
Published by Musicians Publications
Includes score and parts
Duration: 8 minutes

Instrumentation: Flute, Oboe, Clarinet,
French Horn, and Bassoon (or Bass Clarinet)

      Charbrier's “Espana Rhapsody” is a wonderful piece of orchestral literature. Chabrier successfully captures the excitement and color of Spain at festival. As a French Horn player in the Virginia Symphony, I hae enjoyed playing this programmatic fantasy in the orchestra and it begged to be transcribed. This woodwind quintet arrangement closely parallels the original orchestra parts. If you've played the orchestral version, you will see that most of the lines jumped right out of the orchestra score and into this quintet. My arrangement is very challenging and yet satisfying to play. I know that quintets will enjoy this “tour de force”. It has something for everyone!
Enjoy,
Bill Holcombe Jr.