Trombone Chamber Music, Quartets by Howard J. Buss

Trombones or euphoniums in chamber music - quartets (includes brass quartets)
(An asterisk, "*", after the word "trombone" means that the part may also be played on euphonium.)
Titles are listed in alphabetical order, durations are in parenthesis:

AVE VERUM CORPUS by W. A. Mozart, transcribed by Howard J. Buss. This rendition of one of Mozart’s most sublime works makes an outstanding feature number for a recital as well as a wonderful musical offering in church. (3’30”) Grade II-III.

version for 4 trombones* or ensemble, Music available from Cimarron Music Press

version for brass quartet (2-1-1*) Cimarron Music Press

version for trumpet quartet (3 Bb and one Bb bass or a euphonium, tenor clef)
Music available from Cimarron Music Press

CADENZAS AND INTERLUDES #2 for brass quartet may be performed by a standard brass quartet (2 trumpets, horn and trombone,) or a quartet consisting of a Bb cornet, Eb tenor horn, Bb baritone (T.C.) and Bb euphonium (T.C.), or for a quartet derived from these two groups. The cornet player (or trumpet 1) has the option to double on the Flügelhorn. During this composition each player performs a cadenza. Although the cadenzas are written out, the players may perform what is notated or may take liberties to personalize the music, keeping in mind that it is important that all of the cadenzas should have approximately the same duration. Although the musical language is sophisticated, this concert work is constructed in a way to make it accessible to general audiences. (8’40”) Grade V.  A score and 8 parts are provided.
Score sample (score in C): Excerpt.pdf
A recording may be heard on the publisher's site:
Music available from Cimarron Music Press

CANZONA by Florentio Maschera (1540-1584) transcribed by Howard J. Buss. This late Renaissance work is in a stirring imitative style. church.
(2’30”) Grade III.

version for 4 trombones* or trombone ensemble - score sample.pdf
     Sound sample: Excerpt.mp3 Music available from Cimarron Music Press

version for brass quartet (2-1-1* or 2-0-2*) part 3 can be played by either a trombone* or a      horn - Sound sample: Excerpt.mp3 - Score sample: Excerpt.pdf
Music available from Cimarron Music Press

version for trumpet quartet (3 Bb and one Bb bass or a baritone, tenor clef)
Music available from Cimarron Music Press

DRY BONES, the well-known African American spiritual, arranged by Howard Buss. Multiple players may be used on each part to expand the ensemble. The composer wrote a two-part introduction which begins hymn-like, and then breaks out in a jubilant jazzy section. This is followed by a more traditional rendering of the spiritual; however, as the music reaches its climax, the jazz "licks" from the introduction are brought back as counterpoint against the main melody of the spiritual. For a bit of humor, just as the work ends, there is a "tongue-in-cheek" plagal cadence. (2’30”)

version for 4 trombones* (3 tenor and 1 bass) or ensemble Grade IV-V.
Score sample.pdf- Sound Sample: Excerpt.mp3

Music available from Cimarron Music Press
     
version for brass quartet (2-1-1* or 2-0-2*) part 3 can be played by either a trombone* or a horn.
Grade IV. Score sample: Excerpt.pdf ; Sound sample: Excerpt.mp3

Music available from Cimarron Music Press

version for trumpet quartet (3 Bb and one Bb bass or a euphonium, tenor clef)

Music available from Cimarron Music Press

FUGA VII from the Well-Tempered Clavier, Book 2, BWV 876, by Johann Sebastian Bach for brass quartet, [two B-flat trumpets, French horn (an optional trombone* part is included as a substitute for the horn on part 3), and trombone*] transcribed by Howard J. Buss. Rather than intending to elicit a strong emotional response from listeners, this elegant music is designed to showcase compositional craftmanship and stimulate the intellect.
(3’) Grade III. - Sound Sample: Excerpt.mp3;  Score_Sample.pdf

Music available from Cimarron Music Press

JAZZICAL #4 (2012) for horn, trombone, tuba and piano. The composer states, “It was not my aim to create a specific hybrid style by synthesizing jazz and modern classical music; rather, my intent was to systematically strip away the fundamental elements of jazz to explore at what point the music ceases being jazz and becomes classical. The style of this work is the resultant this procedure. Because the subject of what constitutes jazz (there are so many kinds) is so complex, depending upon the background and views of the listener, the music will sound jazzy (in varying degrees) to most, and mostly classical to others. (12’45”) Grade V-VI.
Sound Samples: Excerpt_1.mp3; Excerpt_2.mp3; Excerpt_3.mp3; Excerpt_4.mp3

Score Sample: Excerpt.pdf

Music available from Cimarron Music Press

ODYSSEY (1987) for trombone quartet (or ensemble) is scored for 3 tenor and 1 bass. (A tenor with an F-attachment may play the 4th part is no bass is available.) Bold fanfare sections contrast with beautiful chorale-like passages. The writing is idiomatic and the ranges are modest. (Part 1 ascends briefly to an optional high Cb and part 4 descends to a pedal G.) (10’10”) Grade V.  Sound sample.mp3

Music available from Cimarron Music Press

RICERCARE ON C by Andrea Gabrieli (1510-1586) transcribed by Howard J. Buss. This late Renaissance work is in a stirring imitative style. Particularly interesting are the meter changes involving metric modulations, a trait found in much of the dance music of the day.  (2’30”) Grade III.

version for trombone* quartet (or ensemble) B1012 Score sample.pdf,
Sound sample: Excerpt.mp3 - Music available from Cimarron Music Press
     
version for brass quartet (2-1-1* or 2-0-2*) part 3 can be played by either a trombone* or a horn - Sound Sample: Excerpt.mp3 - Score sample: Excerpt.pdf
Music available from Cimarron Music Press

version for trumpet quartet (3 Bb and one Bb bass or euphonium, treble clef)
Music available from Cimarron Music Press

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Trombone and Euphonium Music Index (includes music for bass trombone)
Click on an instrumentation link, works are listed in alphabetical order within each category:
  
Solo Trombone or euphonium- unaccompanied

Trombone or euphonium & one other instrument
(various combinations, including works with piano & electronic recording)

Trombone or euphonium with percussion ensemble

Trombone or euphonium ensembles

Trombone or euphonium in chamber music - trios (includes brass trios)

Trombones or euphoniums in chamber music - quartets (includes standard brass quartets)

Trombone in chamber music - quintets, sextets, and brass choir (includes standard brass quintets)

Trombone or euphonium and band

Howard J. Buss, Composer       

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Trombone/Euphonium/Bass Trombone Music - quartets, catalog of sheet music. Product description: Trombone chamber music (also chamber music for euphonium and bass trombone)