The final movement of Bach’s 6th Brandenburg Concerto required a significant amount of arranging before it could be played on melodicas. There were several passages in the solo viola parts that needed to be moved, and most of the 2nd gamba part was out of the range of the alto melodica. In most cases I [...]

This is a 5-part consort piece written by Franco-Flemish composer Josquin des Prez, considered by many to be one of the most significant composers of the early Renaissance. Although this piece was written for a standard high to low consort distribution, I have chosen to adapt it for 5 equal instruments. For this performance, the [...]

Arranged and performed by James Howard Young on Alto Melodica, overdubbed in 10 parts. Higher quality MP3: [Audio clip: view full post to listen] View in HQ on YouTube YouTube Playlist More Videos

This arrangement uses alto and bass melodicas. The scoring looks like this: Oboe I: alto melodica Oboe II: alto melodica Bassoon: bass melodica Violin I: alto melodica Violin II: alto melodica Cello / Bass: bass melodica Keyboard continuo: alto melodica Apologies for the out-of-focus moments. I got a new HD webcam which I am very [...]

I was looking for a big project to mark 100 subscribers to my YouTube account (thanks everyone!) and I immediately thought of the first movement from Mozart’s Symphony no. 40 since it’s complex in scope but still Classical in the way the voices are treated meaning it’s not impossible to transcribe. I’ve condensed all the [...]

The first movement Allegro from Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto number 1 is built upon the conversational interplay among the 4 instrument groups: horns, reeds, high strings, and continuo. Bach mixes and matches them in all possible ways in between their simultaneous presentation and dismissal at the works beginning and end. It was therefore important for me [...]