Batalla de Latón (2012)

Wendy Bartlett Compositions

Wendy has been passionate about composing music since the age of 10. She served in the Navy before establishing Wendy Workx. Her compositions include Many are the Seasons, Chamber Ensemble (2008 - 2009), Batalla de Latón, Brass Sextet (2012), Sea Symphony, Full Orchestra, and more. Sample selection PDFs of most multi-part scores are available in the box below. Read further and find recordings of most of the pieces. Wendy is ready for her future in commissioned works. Wendy Workx is conveniently located in Bellingham, WA.

Batalla de Latón (2012) – Brass Sextet

Batalla de Latón is a three-movement jazzy sextet commissioned by the Boundary Bay Brass Quintet in 2012.

Movement Synopsis:

I. Primavera (Spring) was composed in memory of jazz great, Stan Kenton, and is inspired by his piece, Malaguena, from a 1972 recording. The first of three Latino jazz pieces originally composed for the Boundary Bay Brass Quintet, with a 2nd trombone part, Primavera is meant to be a bit brisk moving, focusing on repeated use of the flat II chord (concert G flat, a half step up from Concert F), for an exotic Latin sound. Further Latino inspiration came from Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass, particularly from their Going Places album.

II. Dancing in the Moonlight is inspired by Glenn Miller's Moonlight Serenade for his big band in the 1940s and 1950s. It's slow and easy with a romantic feel, offering a mid-section that changes from Concert E flat to a concert A flat and briefly concert D flat before returning to its Tempo primo in Concert E flat.

III. ¡Muy Caliente! (Very Hot!) is inspired by Leonard Bernstein's rapid-fire music from West Side Story, and is set in two alternating meters throughout the piece, 9/8 and 7/8 in a fast dance-like tempo. The two pairing trumpets and trombones are featured in an escalating "duel"; the French horn and tuba, in the roles of peacemakers, have the last word at the end of the piece.