Bachs well known Rondo of the 2nd violin concerto in a version for 2 flutes (or oboes, clarinets in Bb) and string orchestra. The piece will be well playable by a youth orchestra as a result of essential improvements (Key FMaj instead of EMaj,, time signature 3/4 instead od 3/8). The skillful division of the solo part to two instrumentalists will be linked with less effort to the single player.

Level: medium

You can tell the final movement of the cantata "Heart and mouth and deed and life" nearly an "earcatcher". The gently eighth-note figurations of the violins - colored by flutes ans clarinets - is interrupted by the chorale sections of the brass in striking way. Also your christmas concert  will enriched by this atmospheric music! 

Level: medium.

Italy, the land of longing of artists and musicians! The "Bella-Italia-Suite" was created as a tribute to our host country on the occasion of three concert tours with the "Jugendorchester Westerstede" between 1999 and 2002.

Included are arrangements of the Neapolitan song "Funiculi, funicula", the Canzona "Santa Lucia" and Verdi's Aida March. The suite was always played at the opening of our concerts and was very well received by the audience, but also by our orchestra members.

No.1, No.2: 1:40, Nr.o: 3:25

Level: medium

The chorale cantata "Sleepers awake", BWV 140 was written in 1731 at Leipzig. Movement 4 of the cantata is the base for the first of Bach's Schübler Chorales, BWV 645. Here is an arrangement for youth orchestra. The three choral strophes are arranged in a different way. The figuration and the choral lines are changing, will be filled up harmonicly and increased to the end in he whole orchestra.

Level: medium.

Most people know the melody of 'greensleeves'. But only a few realize it as an English Christmas carol of the 19 th century.
Here a version for youth orchestra and two part choir (ad. lib.). The impressive melody is borderd by an imitatoric prelude and interludes increased magnificently by a colorful instrumentation. A fine new discovery for your Christmas concert! 

Level: medium,

"Cantique de Noël" is a well-known Christmas carol composed by Adolphe Adam in 1847 to the French poem "Minuit, chrétiens" (Midnight, Christians) by Placide Cappeau (1808–1877).

This instrumental version has three sections. In the last you can use also a four-part mixed choir (ad lib). By the colorful instrumentation and the impressive technique of increase this anthemic piece will be a highlight in your Christmas concert.

Level: medium.

Bachs Christmas oratorio in a new form: Four concertant composed final chorals with instrumental setting of the choir parts. Contained are all choir parts in original and can replace the instruments or sung as colla parte.

Level: medium.

Inside: York March, March in F, March in C (Tattoo), Polonaise (transposed to BbMaj).
Beethoven composed some of the pieces for an open air concerto in honor of Empress Maria Karolina for military band. This arrangement for youth orchestra contains also strings and other instruments. The pieces can be played in single manner or completely. They are well sounding, effective and good to play.

Level: medium

The suite op.7 was composed in 1885. This version for youth orchestra is facilitated by a new key and nuances of instrumentation. This wonderful floating movement in 5/4 time will delight
your orchestra members by it's superb sonic image.

Key: EbMaj, Level: medium

A slow, ostinate striding movement of quarters and eighths determines this movement. Gradually a solemn vocal theme rises, which goes through the different sound registers in a tremendous increase. A lyrical central theme and an impressive double fugue break through this process.
Beginning and end form a harsh C minor chord in the wind instruments.

A new key and slight changes in instrumentation and setting make this symphonic movement playable for your orchestra.

Key: Cmin, Level: medium

Four main lyrical themes define this movement, which concludes with a scherzando-like section. This wonderful symphony movement is one of Beethoven's most popular.
A changed time signature (3/4 instead of 3/8), the new key (G major instead of A major) and slight changes in instrumentation and setting make it playable for your orchestra.       

Key: Gmaj, Level: medium

A rather quiet scherzo with trio and coda, entirely in the classical manner. The original key has been shifted from E minor/C major to G minor/E-flat major.
Also included in the four-movement arrangement "Mozart meets Beethoven".

Level: medium
 

Although the opus number is higher than that of the violin romance in G major, Beethoven probably already wrote this piece in 1798. The original one-voice solo instrument was supplemented in many ways to form a piano movement. Missing dynamics were applied, the instrumentation slightly expanded. Here, too, there are similar pedagogical intentions as in the Romance op.50 in G major: a quite easily playable piece for your orchestra pianist in the style of the Viennese Classic.

Level:  medium

Beethoven composed the Romance in Gmaj for violine and orchestra in 1808. Usually the part of the solo violin is to difficult for a member of a youth orchestra. But in this version with a relative easy solo piano you give your orchetral pianist the chance to come to the forground. At the same time you allow your orchestra a look into the clear musical structure of the classical epoch.

Level:  medium

Habanera from "Carmen"

Level: medium.

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Video: BEETHOVEN Musikschule Mödling

The present original was written for solo piano in 1915. It consists of three dance pieces, the first and the last of which each contain two different melodies. The titles give an idea of the content. The arrangement uses colorful instrumentation with a variety of percussion and rhythm instruments (including vibraphone and xylophone).

1) 0:00      2) 1:42     3) 2:18

Level: medium

Beethoven's 6th Symphony pastorale is one of the most popular works of the composer. Here is an arrangement of the 5th movement, which retains most of the original key and setting. Facilitations and some additional instruments make the piece playable for your orchestra!

Key: Fmaj, Level: medium

Arrangement of the original string piece with many solo instruments and mixed orchestra accompagniment.

Level: medium.

The well known ans popular composition in a facilitated version for youth orchester. First of all the key was changed (A -> G). The solo Englisch horn was substituted by the first alto sax, a good player is necessary. Alltogether the result is respectable and will be an enrichment for your orchestra! 

Level: medium

Intermezzo from "Carmen"

Level: medium.

Pretty little piece which starts with a cheeky cheerful solo of the clarinets. The first part includes an extreme and sudden change between the strings and the wind instruments. It is determinated by strong dynamic contrasts and the Allegro risoluto tempo. The following middle part is dominated by the wood winds and is corresponding in its lyricism to the title "Pastorale". A Da-capo with a discontinued final part finishes the composition.

Level:  medium

Waltzes well playable in changing temper, sensible facilitated keys and colourful instrumentation. The only orchestral composed pieces were chosen from the 16 originals (four-handed piano).

Level: medium

This work was composed in 1863/64 and printed in 1884. The original instrumentation consists of alto voice, viola and piano.
The composition has the Christmas carol "Joseph, lieber Joseph mein" as its motto. This version is arranged for small youth orchestra, with the saxophone parts intended as ad libitum (replacing the two French horns).In the opening section, the theme is introduced and developed in numerous variations. The contrasting middle section uses - due to the text - a more dramatic sound with the use of minor and chromaticism. The final section is a shortened form of the opening.
 

In this version for youth orchestra the 6 christmas songs of  Peter Cornelius get an absolutely new and surprising sound. The solo part can be performed by instruments  (flute, oboe, clarinet Bb) or voices (also choir). Different mixtures are possible. Also included are the first two versions of "The Shepherds" and "The Kings".

1.Christbaum, 2a. Die Hirten (1:40), 2b. Die Hirten (2:55) , 3a. Die Könige (4:51), 3b. Die Könige (6:04), 4. Simeon (8:22), 5. Christus der Kinderfreund (10:40), 6. Christkind (13:02).

Level: medium




 

Hungarian dances No 5, 6, 7. 

Level: medium

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An interesting composition by the Danish master. The 6 little piano pieces - here in an orchestral version - range from tender and contemplative to dance-like grazioso and rhythmically accentuated fortissimo. The keys have been made easier in some cases, and the resulting sound is richly differentiated. The rather simple opus for piano became an effective piece for your Christmas concert.

Level: medium.

The surely best known dance of this sequence, with some facilities and new sound effects for your orchestra! Retained were the distinctive character and the usual key Gmin.

Level: medium

This well known dance has the original key Dbmaj and ist mostly played in Dmaj. Here a version in Cmaj, which is now well playable just for your orchestra.

Level: medium

The original key Amaj was transposed to Fmaj. Some facilitaties of notation and sound effects were added, whereby the rhythmical and distinctive dance character survived.

Level: medium

A version of the well-known title for youth orchestra and soprano (solo or choral). Gounod's lyrical melody with dramatic development - congenially set over Bach's 1st Prelude from the Well-Tempered Clavier Volume 1 - is presented in various instrumental combinations. The 16th-figure from Bach's work appears in the strings, the woodwinds and the piano.

The chosen key is similar to the soprano voice in its range, it is not too heavy for a well-trained student voice or choir.

All in all it is a beautiful piece for a festive occasion and is also suitable for a Christmas concert.

Level: medium - advanced