Jean Sibelius: Overture in F Minor

Sibelius scored this work originally for the traditional Finnish brass septet, a format which had arisen in the second half of the 19th century. A typical Finnish septet consisted of a cornet in E flat, two cornets in B flat, an alto horn in E flat (what we in the UK would call a tenor horn), a tenor horn in B flat (what we would call a baritone horn), euphonium and tuba. At least one source suggests the typical make-up omitted the alto horn and included basic percussion although I've found no photographs featuring this latter combination. Either way, it's not difficult to see how works for this ensemble could easily be scaled up for a standard brass band. This performance is by Solna Brass conducted by Lars-Gunnar Bjorklund.
It seems remarkable that an original work for brass by one of the giants of 19th/20th century international music could be overlooked by UK brass bands, particularly such an attractive work as this - but that's brass bands for you!

[@RetiredBrass]

A Finnish Brass septet, or torviseitsikko ("seven horns"), also includes an Alto Horn in Eb, so actually 7 Brass players: a true brass septet. Percussion is not obligatory and is indeed not present in this charming work by Sibelius. Unfortunately there are no scores available on IMSLP.

[@alecgallagher9196]

Thanks for the information. I'll amend the description. My source was an academic paper published in the Historic Brass Society Journal many years ago. I did wonder about it, not least because the few photographs I could find of these groups (including the ones used in this video) all seemed to have at least seven brass players in them. I am fairly sure I have heard percussion in some of Sibelius's other original works for brass, as recorded by The Wallace Collection and others, though. You're right though, it is a charming work. I'm no musicologist, but those opening bars ARE Sibelius to my ears!

[@RetiredBrass]

@@alecgallagher9196 well, my source is Wikipedia, so maybe a little less trustworthy (though it was the Finnish version) 😉
However, after reading your description, my first thought was "where is the Alto voice?" Then after looking up pictures and reading the Finnish Wiki, my thoughts were reassured. Strange though, that the HBS says different.