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 [...]

This is the online premiere of Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture arranged for violin and melodica solo by Cliff Bernzweig. No multitracking has been done; in other words, both parts are played as is. This was lots of fun to play, and was recorded in one day using an Olympus portable dictaphone that was then used as [...]