About
Marsha Schweitzer retired after 45 years as Associate Principal Bassoon of the Honolulu/Hawaii Symphony and after 50 years as bassoonist of the Spring Wind Quintet. Marsha is still a prolific arranger, having expanded the Spring Wind Quintet’s repertoire through her many arrangements and transcriptions in many genres. Her arrangements can be heard on the 2012 Grammy-nominated CD, “Keola Beamer: Malama Ko Aloha,” in live performance all over the world, on Hawaii Public Radio, National Public Radio’s “Performance Today,” on network and cable TV, and in film.
Owned and operated by Marsha Schweitzer, Music For Winds offers a variety of classical, pops, holiday, ethnic, and contemporary repertoire for wind ensembles of all sizes, as well as some selections for strings or string-wind ensembles. Most of the music in this catalog was written especially for the Spring Wind Quintet.
“My woodwind quintet, and really I should say most of the Air Force woodwind quintets I know, love your Christmas arrangements. As a matter of fact, they are a staple for my current quintet during the holiday season.”
“[Marsha’s] arrangements are wonderfully crafted to suit each instrument in the quintet, giving every player a moment to shine. They are not only a joy to play but also something we never get tired of performing.”
“We had great fun playing your arrangement (Bach Prelude & Fugue in G Major) in the U.S. last fall. A month ago it was also played on Norwegian Radio and we got lots of good feedback on your piece!”
“Our wind trio performed your wonderful Christmas arrangements three times yesterday for various events throughout town. We departed with such sincere compliments each time and I must share that with you! Your music was not only fun and challenging but great to listen to.”
“Because of your arrangements, my ensemble has had so many recommendations and good playing jobs. The group just loves to play your arrangements. Thank you for providing quality music for professionals to play! … We love the Carmen!”
“Thank you so much for your wonderful arrangements. The group expressed again how much they enjoy them.”
“Thanks again for the great Christmas music. Our quintet got nothing but rave reviews from it, and we have quite a few new jobs because of it.”
“We had a great time playing your arrangement of Verklarte Nacht at the Bennington Chamber Music Conference a few years ago. Thanks so much!”
“I’m interested in getting another set of your arrangements of Christmas music for wind quintet. I played them in the US Air Force Academy WW Quintet and they were fabulous.”
“Thought you’d like to know that the Cleveland Orchestra Youth Orchestra Quintet played some of your Christmas arrangements this year – to great acclaim. Thanks for doing them.”
“We really enjoy your arrangements. We performed ‘How Lovely Is Thy Dwelling Place’ a couple of years ago—just beautiful!”
Reviews
One source for holiday music is Music For Winds (musicforwinds.net) published by Marsha Schweitzer, bassoonist of the Spring Wind Quintet and transcriber extraordinaire. Here she offers something for every occasion: concerts, in malls, parks, parties, and in church.
You’ll find dozens of transcriptions by Schweitzer including Baroque Favorites: Pachelbel and Bach; Overtures, Operas and Encores: Mozart, Nicolai, Strauss, Jr., Bizet and Lehar; and Piano Classics: Sonatas of Mozart, and works by Brahms, Debussy and Joplin. Again, something for every ensemble to feast on.
– Bruce Creditor, The Clarinet, 2022
Verklarte Nacht
“I will admit to having been skeptical when learning of this transcription, having known, analyzed and loved the string sextet original of Verklarte Nacht. But as happens in carefully done, well- conceived fine transcriptions, this one is remarkably successful (as it is far-reaching) in presenting a piece established in one setting satisfyingly and convincingly in ‘new clothes.’ I wholeheartedly welcome this addition of ‘Fin de Siecle’ Vienna to the wind quintet repertoire, Brava!”
– Bruce Creditor, The Clarinet, 1989
Mozart’s A minor Piano Sonata K. 310
Next was an arrangement by the Spring Wind Quintet’s own Marsha Schweitzer of Mozart’s A minor Piano Sonata K. 310, for a most unusual quartet of oboe, English horn, bassoon, and (get this!) contrabassoon.
I have to admit being skeptical at first. After all, Mozart’s K. 310 was one of the most emotionally raw works he ever composed, exposing heart-wrenching dissonances, driven, pounding rhythms, and almost violent clashes, emotions that were usually tempered by Classicism’s elegant facade.
Instead, I was intrigued by the different perspective Schweitzer’s arrangement offered.
Played by winds, the piece is lighter, more legato and seemingly more consonant. I heard the piece in a new way, with new insights, which is precisely the point of arrangements. For example, the tempo of the second movement, with its long opening anacrusis, is usually determined by the piano’s rate of decay. On piano, and especially on the fortepiano for which the piece written, one can only play so slowly before the line disintegrates. Played by winds, however, the struggle to maintain legato is resolved, leaving the choice of tempo to the musicians. Fascinating.
— Ruth Bingham, Honolulu Advertiser
Ordering Information
Shipping Options
- Free Digital Delivery: Prices include e-delivery of PDF files.
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Domestic Orders: Shipping is usually by U.S. Priority Mail. Due to low sales volume and lack of space, we do not keep a large inventory on hand. Sets of parts are prepared for distribution only after your order is received, so please allow plenty of time for delivery. However, if you have a specific deadline, let us know and we will do our best to expedite delivery.
International Orders: For reasons of cost and customs regulations, printed copies are not available except by special arrangement. Contact us for details.