Böhme’s Brass Sextet (Trompeten-Sextett) op.30, composed in 1911, undoubtedly ranks among the finest brass music produced by the romantic era.The title refers to the distinctive symmetry of the instrumentation: four instruments from the trumpet family and framed by two representative of the bugle family.The use of the trumpet was remarkable at the time because the characteristic brass ensembles of the period consisted exclusively of bugle-family instruments. It was for such a group of 2 cornets, alto, tenor and baritone horn, for example, that Viktor Ewald wrote his well known quintets. The question of which instrument to use of the exposed and rather high bass part, intended by the composer for the “high Bb tuba” is tricky. A great tubist could play it on an F or Eb tuba, but a more compact ensemble sound is obtainable with a euphonium or small French Bb tuba.