Introduction: A Latin Sensation for Five Brass Voices In the world of contemporary wind band and orchestral literature, few pieces have captured the global imagination quite like Arturo Márquez’s Danzón No. 2 . Originally composed for orchestra in 1994, this vibrant, sensual tour-de-force has become a staple of concert halls worldwide, largely thanks to its prominent feature in Gustavo Dudamel’s 2007 performance with the Simón Bolívar Youth Orchestra.
This piece is a gift to our instrument family. It demands not just technique, but vulnerability: the courage to play soft, the wisdom to play in the cracks of the beat, and the joy to let the rhythm move your shoulders.
The answer lies in a high-quality . This article is a deep dive into everything you need to know about this arrangement: where to find legitimate scores, the technical demands of the transcription, rehearsal strategies, and why this piece is a game-changer for your quintet’s repertoire. Part 1: Understanding the Source Material – What is Danzón No. 2 ? Before you search for a "danzon no 2 brass quintet pdf work," it helps to understand the original work. Arturo Márquez (b. 1950) is Mexico’s foremost living composer. His Danzón series pays homage to the danzón , a slow, elegant partner dance that evolved from Cuban contradanza and became a ritualistic art form in Veracruz, Mexico.
The structure of Danzón No. 2 is a rondo-like form (A-B-A-C-A) with a hypnotic, nostalgic introduction. The piece famously begins with a languid clarinet solo, slowly builds through rhythmic and melodic layers, erupts into a frantic, percussive climax, and then dissolves into a tender, melancholy coda.
| Arranger | Publisher | Difficulty | Unique Feature | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | | Alea Publishing | Advanced | Most faithful to orchestral colors; includes optional percussion part. | | John Iveson | Brass Wind Publications | Intermediate | Reduced range for trumpet 1; great for college ensembles. | | Rafael Mendez (arr.) | Mendez Brass Institute | Expert | Virtuosic, high-flying arrangement; adds improvised cadenza. |