Chorale St. Antoni
Brass Ensemble - Digital Sheet Music

     In 1870, Johannes Brahms found a theme entitled "Chorale St. Antoni." It comprised the second of four sections in Divertimento in B-flat major, a composition for wind ensemble attributed to Joseph Haydn. When, in 1873, Brahms completed his composition based on this melody, it was titled, Variations on a Theme by Joseph Haydn. He stated the "St. Antoni" theme as the first section of his Variations. In doing so, he stayed true to the original and arranged the theme primarily for wind instruments, but added cellos and basses to augment the bass line.
     About 50 years later, Kate Stearns Page (1873-1963) wrote the words for "We, Thy People, Praise Thee." It was published in Page’s compilation Selected Hymns for Use in School or Home and set to the "St. Anthony Chorale" melody. The music’s composer was credited as "Franz Joseph Haydn." It was subsequently included in hymnals, and churches use it as a hymn of praise and thanksgiving.
     Later research indicated that Haydn may have written neither the original composition nor the "Chorale St. Antoni" part of it. Nevertheless, the melody is intriguing, with its five-measure phrases, and Brahms’ framing is both beautifully simple and elegant.
     This arrangement is a warm and appealing five-instrument translation of Brahms’ version. Written in B-flat and 2/4 time, it proceeds at a suggested tempo of quarter note = 69. All notes are well within the normal playing range of each of the five instruments, and there are no particularly difficult or fast passages. The key to performing this piece is to play together, listen to each other carefully and follow the expression markings faithfully.
     Completed in 2014, this arrangement takes a bout about 1 minute, 41 seconds to perform. The arranger, Les Smith, will be happy to provide substitute parts (for example, treble clef baritone for euphonium) at no charge; contact him directly at lessmith61@bellsouth.net. For more arrangements by Les, enter "Sweetwater Brass Press" (without the quotation marks) in the search box. (Also, purchase of this piece entitles you to your choice of another of his arrangements at no charge; send a copy of your purchase receipt directly to him at lessmith61@bellsouth.net.)