AMB Clarinet: Clarinet Choir Arrangments by Tony Brackett

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FOR CLARINET TRIO - 3 Bb Clarinets

Mascagni: Intermezzo from Cavalleria Rusticana
AMB301
$15

This trio for three Bb clarinets is very sweet and approachable for your younger students. Clarinet 1 plays up to a High D above the staff.
Level = Easy

Verdi: Prelude to la Traviata
AMB302
$15

Clarinet 1 is a bit more advanced than the other two parts. At the half way point we have some tricky rhythms and a bit of tonguing. Otherwise a nice choice for your intermediate/beginner kids.
Level = Beginner/Intermediate

FOR CLARINET QUARTET - 3 Bb Clarinets and Bass Clarinet

Debussy: Arabesque No. 1
AMB401
$15

Same music as the choir version only paired down for quartet.
Level = Intermediate

Debussy: The Girl with the Flaxen Hair
AMB402
$15

Very familiar and beautiful to listen to. Satisfying to play. Nice parts for everyone. Short and sweet.
Level = Intermediate

Gershwin: Lullaby
AMB411
$20

Gershwin composed this work for strings in 1919 and was published by his brother Ira after the composer’s death. I kept the original key which puts the clarinets in E Major. Bass clarinet needs low C.
Level = Intermediate

Glinka: Ruslan and Ludmilla Overture
AMB403
$25

This one is not easy. Not a lot of rests. A real endurance test and excellent way to open or close a quartet concert.
Level = Advanced

Gounod: Funeral March of a Marionette
AMB404
$15

Just like the choir version only fewer voices.
Level = Intermediate

Mascagni: Intermezzo from Cavalleria Rusticana
AMB405
$15

Clarinet 1 has some high notes, but all manageable.
Level = Beginner

Mozart: Andante
AMB410
$20

This piece is thought to have been composed for a music box. I rewrote so that the notation is a little easier to comprehend. Medium level piece.
Level = Intermediate

Mozart: Divertimento K.131
AMB408
$25

I have always been fond of this piece. The last time I heard it was in the Paris Metro by a group of string players enrolled at the Conservatoire. They played from memory. It was just wonderful. It works well for quartet.
Level = Medium

Rameau: Choeur des Savages from les Indes galantes
AMB412
$15

Taken from Rameau’s opera “Les Indes galantes” this opera-ballet speaks to love in exotic places. This march is very earthy and works perfectly for clarinet quartet.
Level = Medium

Ravel: le Tombeau de Couperin
AMB409
$35

This is really hard. I struggled with changing the key, with Bb or A clarinet and no matter what there were some sticky passages. So here it is straight from the piano version with guidance from the orchestral version, but only 4 of the six movements. 3 Bb clarinets and bass clarinet. Insane!!!!
Level = Advanced

Strauss: Gypsy Baron Overture
AMB407
$25

There is a lick in this overture that used to be on every orchestral audition list. It involves rolling your hand over the throat notes. It is tricky. This a real charmer and lots of fun.
Level = Intermediate

Verdi: Prelude to la Traviata
AMB406
$15

Another operatic beauty. Introduction has a lot of high notes and will be good for working on tuning and balance. Simple and gorgeous.
Level = Beginner-Intermediate

FOR WOODWIND QUINTET - Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Horn, Bassoon

Couperin: le Tic-toc-choc
AMB506
$15

Taken from Couperin’s Pieces de Claveçin, this arrangement is very tricky for flute and clarinet. There are a lot of repeated figures while the other instruments handle the melody.
Level = Medium

Mascagni: Intermezzo from Cavalleria Rusticana
AMB505
$15

Like AMB504 this is a pleasant and familiar piece of music to most audiences. It is ideal as a bonbon filler for a concert or for parties.
Level = Easy

Moussorgsky: Night on Bald Mountain
AMB507
$30

Once this gets going, there are few opportunities to rest. Demands stamina and fortitude. Very exciting.
Level = Difficult

Ravel: Alborada del gracioso
AMB502
$30

Certain composers are really good for transcribing — Mozart, Debussy and Ravel. There is some fierce tonguing for horn and flute, but not unlike what is found in the orchestral version. There is a lot of playing but the end result is rather nice.
Level = Advanced

Ravel: Mother Goose Suite
AMB501
$25

I took my clarinet choir arrangement and adapted it for woodwind quintet. Flute doubles on piccolo and clarinet switches between Bb and A. It is very sweet and accessible.
Level = Medium

Ravel: Pavane for a Dead Princess
AMB503
$25

Starts with the horn solo. Lovely little piece. Not too tough for quintet, but the horn is high.
Level = Easy/Medium

Verdi: la Traviata Prelude
AMB504
$15

This works well as a sweet addition to any concert. Aside from the recap this is a very straightforward and easy tune to learn.
Level = Easy

FOR DOUBLE WIND QUINTET

Mendelssohn: Scherzo from A Midsummer Night’s Dream
AMB2X501
$50

All ten players will have challenging music to play in this arrangement for double wind quintet. Taken directly from the orchestral score. When possible, I have written the exposed solo passages for the corresponding instrument.
Level = Difficult

Smetana: The Moldau
AMB2X502
$50

This arrangement is for double wind quintet with an optional contrabassoon part. Clarinets and bassoons are very busy in this chart. This is a transcription of the complete tone poem in the original key. Stamina and technique are crucial here.
Level = Advanced

LARGE MIXED ENSEMBLE

Debussy: Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun
AMBLE101
$50

During the pandemic I experimented with scoring larger works for smaller mixed ensembles. This smaller orchestration creates more challenges for the players. When possible, I have left the traditional solos and exposed passages as they appear in Debussy’s orchestration. This arrangement of the orchestral work has been rescored for FL, OB, 2CL, BN, 2HN, 2VN, VA, VC, DB
Level = Difficult

FOR CLARINET CHOIR - Eb and 3 Bb Clarinets, Alto Clarinet/ Basset Horn, Bass Clarinet, Contra-alto Clarinet/Contrabass Clarinet

Anderson: A Christmas Festival
AMB109
$25

My students loved playing this piece on their band concert every year. Taken directly from the composer's holiday work for orchestra, all of your favorite carols somehow make it into the piece. Tricky Eb part towards the end. Crowd favorite.
Level = Intermediate

J.S. Bach: Toccata and Fugue in D minor
AMB110
$40

When a clarinet choir is playing well in tune it often sounds like a pipe organ. So, why not transcribe the most-famous organ piece? Some very tricky moments in the Toccata section, especially for Eb, first and second clarinets. Opening can be tricky for the conductor as well. Once the fugue starts it is smoother sailing.
Level = Advanced

Berlioz: Roman Carnival Overture
AMB142
$40

I wrote this back in undergrad circa 1982. I played in my professor's clarinet choir weekly and we often played arrangements of his or of the upperclassmen. This I wrote because the school orchestra had just performed it and the English horn had the equivalent of a wardrobe malfunction. It was not pretty. My teacher looked through my scribblings and advised that I should transpose to an easier key for the clarinet. I didn't want to because I liked the way it sounded in the original key. So, it sat in a box with a heap of other transcriptions for a very long time. I finally listened to my teacher and transposed the key (as I did with many of my other charts) and it is very playable now. Thank you, Henry Larsen.
Level = Advanced

Berlioz: Symphonie Fantastique
AMB151
$75

Berlioz’s masterpiece, here transcribed with all five movements. This chart is very difficult, but playable. It took several years of writing and letting it sit and editing to get it to where I think it is playable. In the second movement the three Bb clarinet parts must switch to clarinet in A. The key signatures for the Eb clarinet, Alto clarinet and Contra-alto clarinets have been simplified displaying fewer accidentals in the key signature and more accidentals in the individual measures. I think this transcription is pretty awesome.
Level = Advanced

Brahms: Variations on a Theme by Josef Haydn
AMB143
$40

I am surprised at how easily this piece was available for clarinet choir. Everything rests in good ranges for the horns and still sounds really nice. A couple of challenging sections but mostly accessible to a lot of groups.
Level = Medium/Advanced

Debussy: Arabesque No. 1
AMB120
$30

When I was a student, I heard my clarinet hero, Harold Wright play an arrangement of this on a recital. Wright's playing was simple and elegant and I think perfect for Debussy. This works so well for a clarinet ensemble.
Level = Intermediate

Debussy: Claire de Lune
AMB149
$20

Taken from the Suite Bergamasque, this arrangement blends the clarinet voices in a beautiful fashion. Original key makes this challenging in spots.
Level = Medium

Debussy: The Girl with the Flaxen Hair
AMB116
$15

Debussy's works transcribe very well for clarinet choir. This chart is full of color and rubato. While not very difficult it is elegant and simple.
Level = Beginner/Advanced Beginner

Debussy: Jimbo's Lullaby from Children's Corner Suite
AMB117
$15

This transcription features the contra player in your ensemble and is possible to be played on both Eb and Bb Contra. Good parts for all.
Level = Intermediate

Elgar: Pomp and Circumstance No. 4
AMB126
$30

Of all the Pomp and Circumstance marches I enjoy this best. The theme in the middle section is so regal and very British and I think this was played at Princess Diana's wedding. Good parts for all.
Level = Intermediate

Glinka: Ruslan and Ludmilla Overture
AMB103
$40

This transcription is a lot of fun and requires strong, independent playing by all participants. There are a few very tricky scale passages for the Bb clarinets and some tuning issues for the Eb soprano. Great opener and crowd pleaser.
Level = Advanced

Gounod: Funeral March of a Marionette
AMB106
$25

Excellent choice for those October and Halloween concerts. This version is the complete work as written by Gounod. Often times we just hear the introduction, main theme and coda. This transcription is of the entire piece, including a very short fugue after the main theme.
Level = Advanced Beginner/Intermediate

Kreisler: Tambourin Chinois
AMB123
$35

Kreisler wrote some marvelous show pieces for the violin. I used to hear Juilliard Pre-College kids practicing this all the time when I was on the faculty. One day I thought, “I wonder if this would work for clarinets”? Well, this is a tough one, but I so enjoy a good challenge!!
Level = Advanced for Upper clarinets

Liszt: Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2
AMB140
$30

This one was really hard to notate and it would be helpful if those playing were familiar with recordings of the piece. There should be a lot of rubato when the main theme is being played. I edited it to make it more accessible but have not shortened it.
Level = Medium/Advanced

Mascagni: Intermezzo from Cavalleria Rusticana
AMB118
$15

Beautiful to listen to and satisfying to play. A lot of doubling and octaves, so good intonation must be worked on in this chart. Eb ends on a high E.
Level = Beginner/Advanced Beginner

Moussorgsky: Great Gate of Kiev from Pictures at an Exhibition
AMB101
$25

Transcribed from the composer's original work for solo piano, this piece is a perfect finale to any clarinet choir concert. There is one small challenging section toward the end for the Eb and Bb clarinets, otherwise a very straight-forward piece.
Level = Intermediate

Moussorgsky: Pictures at an Exhibition
AMB119
$75

This transcription was written from the original piano solo, all major movements plus corresponding promenades. I must admit this was really an academic project at first. I thought, why not write this out for clarinet choir? It is very difficult and challenging, but the music is so fantastic that I think it is worth the effort. Feel free to play just a few movements or create a suite. Oh, did I mention that it is quite difficult and challenging? Good luck!
Level = Advanced+

Mozart: "O Zitt're nicht" from The Magic Flute
AMB102
$25

This is the first aria sung by The Queen of the Night in the opera The Magic Flute. Scored for Solo Bb Clarinet with choir accompaniment, the solo part is taken directly from the aria. Wonderful opportunity to feature a clarinet soloist.
Level = Intermediate for ensemble, Advanced for soloist

Mozart: "Die Hölle Rache" from The Magic Flute
AMB105
$25

This is the second aria sung by The Queen of the Night in the opera The Magic Flute. Scored for Solo Bb Clarinet with choir accompaniment, the solo part is taken directly from the aria. This is the longer of the two arias sung by the Queen of the Night. Wonderful opportunity to feature a clarinet soloist.
Level = Intermediate for ensemble, Advanced for soloist

Mozart: O Isis und Osiris – Bass Clarinet Solo
AMB147
$20

This beautiful solo for bass clarinet sits very well on the instrument. Gorgeous melody and accompaniment. Great opportunity to feature your bass clarinetist.
Level = Easy

Mozart: Overture to The Magic Flute
AMB112
$35

This lovely overture works very well for clarinet choir. Independent playing by everyone will make this piece successful. Tricky tuning in sustained chords.
Level = Intermediate/Advanced

Pierne: March of the Tin Soldiers
AMB115
$20

This is an absolutely charming little piece and a great way to open the second half of a concert. French marches are slightly faster than American marches, so please keep that in mind when rehearsing this piece. Eb very exposed in third octave.
Level = Advanced Beginner

Ponchielli: Dance of the Hours from la Gioconda
AMB137
$35

This transcription was requested by a friend and is the complete ballet from the opera. Eb clarinet parts are challenging and delicate at times, but mostly this is tons of fun.
Level = Advanced

Prokofiev: Music for Children, Op. 65
AMB122
$50

Taken from the composer's set of children's piano pieces, this set is comprised of 12 movements. A couple of the faster movements are rather tricky, technically speaking, but the majority of the pieces are lovely and approachable and full of Prokofieff's rich harmonies.
Level = Intermediate+

Rachmaninoff: Italian Polka
AMB124
$20

Great composer. Played a band transcription of this when I was a student. Lots of fun and very haunting. B section has a few notes for the upper clarinets.
Level = Intermediate

Ravel: La Valse
AMB150
$40

This arrangement is from the piano version written by the composer. This is a big blow for an advanced clarinet choir. Independent playing is crucial here. This is both challenging and fun.
Level = Advanced

Ravel: Mother Goose Suite
AMB108
$50

This was the first "ambitious" transcription I created and my high school choir loved it! Taken from the piano four-hand version by the composer, there are some extremely delicate and tricky writings for all voices. The Conversation between Beauty and the Beast creates a lovely duet for Bb clarinet and Contra and the pagoda movement has a very exposed part for the Eb clarinet.
Level = Advanced

Respighi: The Fountains of Rome
AMB135
$50

At first I thought this might be impossible to transcribe, but after a few hours realized that a lot of the non-bombastic sections are really like chamber music. All of the parts are challenging but I feel worth the trouble. Eb, 1st, 2nd and 3rd all play in the third octave at times. Challenging contra part. There are a couple of crazy key signatures, but the passages are mostly chromatic. At the end, the bird references should be played ad libitum, out of time.
Level = Advanced

Rossini: William Tell Overture
AMB139
$30

More than just the theme from the Lone Ranger, this overture has everything including beautiful melodies, storm scene, pastoral section and the famous tune at the end. The famous duet for flute and English horn has been given to Eb and alto. Doable, not too scary if you have grit! Lots of notes for all.
Level = Advanced

Schubert: Scherzo from Octet, Op. 166
AMB107
$25

The Scherzo and Trio from the famous Octet Op. 166 written by Schubert. Lots of instrument pairings in this work. Fun and playful. Nice bass line in Trio.
Level = Intermediate

Shostakovich: Festive Overture
AMB128
$40

The Professor's Clarinet Choir performed this at Clarinetfest 2017 in Orlando, FL. It was glorious. Since then I have heard some fabulous performances by choirs from Chicago and Italy . Technically challenging and the Eb clarinet player must be fearless. Lots of fun.
Level = Advanced

Sibelius: Finlandia
AMB141
$25

The chordal cadences in this piece are lovely. Aside from a couple of tricky triplet passages in the first half, this is a fairly easy piece to put together. Sibelius really was a master of color and harmony.
Level = Easy/Medium

Strauss: Die Fledermaus Overture
AMB129
$40

Break out the champagne and get ready for some fast tonguing and haunting melodies. Equally challenging technical playing for all voices.
Level = Advanced

Sullivan: Overture to HMS Pinafore
AMB113
$35

There is nothing like a little Gilbert and Sullivan to perk up a concert. My high school kids used to perform this transcription without conductor. One tricky passage for Eb, first and seconds, otherwise lots of fun.
Level = Intermediate

Sullivan: Overture to Iolanthe
AMB114
$35

Get your tongues ready! This is really great for working on articulation. Lots of tonguing and some divisi sections. Fun to listen to and challenging to play.
Level = Intermediate/Advanced

Sullivan: Overture to Yeomen of the Guard
AMB127
$35

Technical massages at both ends of this overture with Clarinet 1 playing up to high A. This is easily pieced together and full of charm.
Level = Intermediate

Sullivan: Pineapple Poll
AMB146
$30

This is a real finger buster for all players. Taken from the band version with the permission of Alfred Music, this chart incorporates tunes and themes from Gilbert & Sullivan’s most popular operettas.
Level = Difficult

Suppe: Light Cavalry Overture
AMB148
$25

This fun arrangement sits very well for all the clarinets. A few spots for coordinating fingers and tongue.
Level = Medium

Suppe: Morning, Noon and Night in Vienna
AMB133
$40

Franz von Suppe wrote so many memorable overtures. This piece has been a staple of the band repertoire for decades and features a solo for Clarinet 1. There are lilting melodies and more aggressive sections as well.
Level = Medium

Suppe: Pique Dame Overture
AMB136
$25

Translated to Queen of Spades Overture, I remember the first time I heard this piece. It was a boxed set of LPs by the Boston Pops Orchestra led by Arthur Fiedler. All of the selections were lighter classical pieces and this one stood out because of the charming flute duet. Accessible for all players with a little trick and fancy thrown in.
Level = Medium

Suppe: Poet and Peasant Overture
AMB138
$30

This piece has been a favorite of mine since playing Town Band Concerts when I was in high school. This was one of those chestnuts that had a wonderful clarinet part. The cello solo has been given to the alto clarinet. This is a fun one to play.
Level = Advanced

Tchaikovsky: Dance of the Jesters
AMB121
$35

This flashy number is from "The Snow Maiden." Originally for orchestra, this piece has also been arranged for symphonic band and has made its way on to several All-State concerts over the last decade. It is a real showpiece for Eb, and Bb clarinets.
Level = Advanced

Tchaikovsky: Nutcracker Suite
AMB130
$85

After years of requests I finally finished this very difficult arrangement of the Chiristmas favorite. All movements from the Suite are present. The Trepak and Waltz of the flowers are particularly challenging because they are played on the Bb clarinet in the original key.
Level = Advanced

Tchaikovsky: Waltz from Swan Lake
AMB111
$35

I was playing the Broadway run of Matthew Bourne's Swan Lake and my head was filled with that glorious score all the time, particularly the waltzes. I kept wondering if it would work for clarinet choir and I decided to make a go of it. This one is a lot of blowing, but totally worth the effort in the long run.
Level = Intermediate/Advanced

Verdi: Luisa Miller Overture
AMB145
$25

This works very well for clarinet choir. A lot of notes for the upper clarinet parts, but manageable. A great overture by a great composer.
Level = Intermediate

Verdi: Prelude to la Traviata
AMB104
$15

Slow and beautiful, this transcription is easy to piece together. Most challenging section is tuning the introduction. Eb player should be comfortable playing and tuning above the staff.
Level = Advanced Beginner

Wagner: Lohengrin Prelude to Act III
AMB131
$40

This number is fast, technically demanding and requires rapid tonguing. Great parts for low clarinets as well as soprano clarinets.
Level = Advanced

Wagner: Rienzi Overture
AMB134
$40

There is a wonderful recording of the Eastman Wind Ensemble playing this piece on an album of Wagner pieces for band. The playing is superb and some of the parts for clarinet are downright nasty. I have chosen to replace the tongued triplet eighth note passage with duple eighth notes to make this more accessible without the frustration and bruised tongues. This is a show stopper.
Level = Advanced

Wagner: Ride of the Valkyries
AMB144
$45

OK, call me crazy, but I love this. I was assistant manager of the NAfME Eastern Division Honors Orchestra in 2013 and convinced the conductor, a friend of mine, to program this piece. It went off without a hitch and I have been itching to transcribe this for clarinets since then. I had to compromise and add a 4th clarinet part in order to cover everything. Yes, it is difficult, but most of the writing is patterns and repeated sections. This would probably sound best with more than one on a part. I love to push the envelope. This is actually playable.
Level = Advanced

Weber: Invitation to the Dance
AMB125
$40

This is my favorite transcription to date. The introduction suggests a dance and a shy young man getting up his courage to ask a sweet young lady to be his partner in a dance. Very sweet! The music starts up and develops into this dancing frenzy of notes and volume and swirling passages for all the clarinets. The piece comes to an abrupt stop as the introductory music is reintroduced. Is the dance over? Was it all just a dream? Taken from Weber's fabulous piece for solo piano. A must for your clarinet choir collection.
Level = Advanced