Just to let you know that I have begun work on Monteverdi's 7th book of Madrigals. The transcription of these beautiful songs is a labour of love and I am looking forward to the challenges this particular book poses.
For a start, it is getting really difficult to boil it down to five parts. The richness and variety of the textures he is using are a marvel. The 7th book is less like a collection of songs and much more like a mini opera, complete with solos, duets, choruses and instrumental pieces. Monteverdi is stretching himself and using a lot of the new techniques of his Secunda Prattica to create ever more wonderful variety and novelty. He has also hit on the idea of the instrumental ritornello and this poses a separate challenge to keep the instrumentation to quintet size while varying the textures and timbres. I'm expecting a number of the songs to have to be for 7 or 9 parts, simply because of the thickness of the textures he creates.
On a slightly different note, I'd like to remind everyone that Christmas is just around the corner and I have some lovely and unusual Christmas music on here. If you are looking for a nice arrangement for brass band that can still be sung to, the have a look at "Once In Royal David's City".
There's a lovely song called "Snowflakes", which is suitable for high voice (Soprano or Tenor ). Although not strictly Christmassy, The "Four Canadian Sketches" has relevance as it's Canada's 150th year of existence. It is available in two flavours 8-Part Flute Choir and Brass Band . Both versions are well worth the time investment. I am also working on some simple carol arrangements for younger bands and small ensembles.