Beethoven: Septet in Eb major Op.20 (arr. Bernhard Crusell) Mvt.IV Tema con variazioni - wind ensemble

Septet in Eb major Op.20 Mvt.IV. Tema con variazioni (arr. Bernhard Crusell) - wind ensemble

Beethoven’s Septet in E-flat major for clarinet, horn, bassoon, violin, viola, cello, and double bass, Op. 20, was sketched out in 1799, completed, and first performed in Vienna in 1800 and published in 1802.

I have arranged some of the movements for wind quintet which you can find here. along with my other Beethoven work.

I am intending* to arrange some of the movements for symphonic wind dectet and discovered the complete work has been arranged for an unusual wind ensemble by Bernhard Crusell.

Bernhard Henrik Crusell (15 October 1775 – 28 July 1838) was a Swedish-Finnish clarinetist, composer and translator,"the most significant and internationally best known Finnish-born classical composer and indeed, – the outstanding Finnish composer before Sibelius".

The parts (available on IMSLP) are for flute, clarinet in Eb, 2 clarinets in Bb, 2 horns, 2 bassoons, serpent, trumpet and trombone.

Apparently Crusell was an outstanding clarinettist with many solo performances throughout his lifetime.

In his arrangement the Eb clarinet takes many of the violin lines: it is by far the more difficult of the clarinet parts.

There are no oboe parts, and the top line is given to a flute (part marked “flauto terzo” literally third flute) but it as apparent that the part is for an Eb soprano. (Maybe the terzo indicates up a minor third?)

The horns and trumpet parts are for natural instruments, with selected keys chosen.

The trombone part is for bass trombone, and the bass part noted “serpente”

I have now created this score from the original parts for mvt.IV Theme and Variations

Score (and easier to read parts) available FREE to download.

I have now arranged this movement for standard wind dectet and bass.

Check it out here.