Brass Quintet

The Brass Quintet emerged in the mid-20th century, primarily in the United States, when some clever trumpet and trombone players decided that four brass instruments plus a tuba sounds way better than just a random assortment of musicians. Characterised by bright, bold harmonies and a tendency for players to show off their high notes, it often straddles the line between formal concert repertoire and cheeky arrangements of popular tunes. If orchestras are the posh dinner parties of the music world, then Brass Quintets are the lively pub quizzes where everyone's trying to impress each other whilst having a right old laugh.