The selection of five movements from  "Jeux d' enfants" - original twelve pieces for piano four hands - correspondes to the "Petite suite d' orchestre", op. 22 by Bizet. As a result from adapted keys and a more contoured instrumentation e.g. by percussion the existing sections will become even more attractiv for your young orchestra!

Included: Marche, Berceuse, Impromptu, Duo, Galop.

Level: advanced.

Unfortunately the original composition is much to difficult to play for a youth orchestra. But this  facilitated version makes it possible! Well adapted keys and an appropriate instrumentation give the wonderful piece a chance to your concert!

Level: advanced.

The most famous composition of Johann Strauß (Sr.) in a more facilitated key.

Level: medium.

A delightful funny piece, very well suited for an encore. The frequent solo passages in the original - difficult to perform - are made playable for a youth orchestra by minor instrumental duplications.

Level: advanced.

In this version for soprano and string orchestra the 6 christmas songs of  Peter Cornelius get an absolutely new and surprising sound. Also a choral performance of the solo voice is possible.

Contained: "Christbaum", "Die Hirten", "Die Könige", "Simeon", "Christus der Kinderfreund", "Christkind". Additionally the both initial versions of: "Die Hirten" und "Die Könige".




 

The seldom played ouverture of the Danish composer is already the vision of a masterpiece. Written in the typical "Romantic" key A-minor it remembers in many passages to Gades future teacher: Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy (Hebrides Ouverture, Scottish Symphony). Impressive contrasting themes characterise the piece, The person of the bard Ossian is characterised by powerful arpeggios of the harp.

Mendelssohn composed the music to the drama "Athalie" (Jean Racine) op. 74 between 1843-1845. The best known piece inside is the "War March of the Priests" which is featured relatively homophone. A martial main theme is interrupted by a lyric subsidiary theme.The end of the piece is a recapitulation of both ideas in a glamorous forte.

Level: medium - advanced.

This overture to the short opera of Smetana is filled with sparking melodies in typical slavonic character and will enjoy your orchestra! The piece is subdivided into several well chosen sections by different themes.

Level: advanced

As a member of the Russian National School the composer choses 3 folk tunes, which he combines in a skillful manner to a great orchestral piece. The framework is an elegic melody, in the middle we find a fugato which is lead to an impressive climax beside other melodies.

Level: advanced

Albert Dietrich, contemporary and friend of J. Brahms, court musical director at Oldenburg 1860-90 wrote this piece for a ceremony at the Court of the Grand Duke. After the march, composed in the usual A-B-A form, into the coda the hymn "Heil dir, o Oldenburg!" is embedded. Though very seldom played this piece would be impressive for your festive concert!

Mendelssohn composed the music to the drama "Athalie" (Jean Racine) op. 74 between 1843-1845. The best known piece inside is the "War March of the Priests" which is featured relatively homophone. A martial main theme is interrupted by a lyric subsidiary theme.The end of the piece is a recapitulation of both ideas in a glamorous forte.

Regarding this current Pastorale movement the whole concerto grosso is often called "Christmas concerto". The original solo violins have been changed by flute and other high tuned instruments. In this version the original pure string piece has a various mixed acompagniment. Pedagogical suitable for introduction in the baroque concertino technique.

Level: medium.

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

Level: medium.

This grandiose composition is processing the christmas choral "Vom Himmel hoch" in thematically several ways. First in a gloomy minor key, it lights up more and more. At the end the whole piece and the choral - supported by a  four-part choir and organ - shines in all it's glory.

The current version is facilitated and transposed to Cmin | cMaj.

Level: advanced.

By a prelude, interludes and a colourful figuration the well known choir piece of Handel becomes a magnicifent composition for your Christmas concerto.

Level: medium.

Haven't you always dreamed of performing this pure string piece with your mixed youth orchestra or wind ensemble? This arrangement with many parts for solo- and ripieno instruments gives you the possibility.

Level: medium.

This piece - in Germany known as Advent carol - is based on choral movements from Handels oratorios Judas Maccabäus and Joshua. The new lyrics are by Friedrich Heinrich Ranke (1798–1876). The current ensemble version has a short introduction and three verses. Here is also a four-part mixed choir possible (ad libitum). Pedagogical suitable for introduction in the baroque oratorio.

Level: easy - medium.

This arrangement with many parts for solo- and ripieno instruments gives you the possibility to perform this pure string piece with your mixed ensemble. Isn't it a great idea for christmas time?

Pedagogical suitable for introduction in the baroque concertino technique.

Level: medium

This grandiose composition is processing the christmas choral "Vom Himmel hoch" in thematically several ways. First in a gloomy minor key, it lights up more and more. At the end the whole piece and the choral - supported by a  four-part choir and organ - shines in all it's glory.

Though originally written for the opera stage, this composition is excellently suitable for the concert hall. The extremely delicate instrumented original was arranged for a larger orchestra and extended by a repetition..

Level: medium

An effective little piece for your Christmas concert. Also useful as an encore.

Level: easy - medium.

As a member of the Russian National School the composer choses 3 folk tunes, which he combines in a skillful manner to a great orchestral piece. The framework is an elegic melody, in the middle we find a fugato which is lead to an impressive climax beside other melodies.

This overture to the short opera of Smetana is filled with sparking melodies in typical slavonic character and will enjoy your orchestra! The piece is subdivided into several well chosen sections by different themes.

Perhaps the most common piece of the "Strauß of the north". The original key (EMaj) is facilitated, the original 4 trumpets are substituted. The solo part is for the champagne bottle..

Level: medium.

Hungarian dances No 1, 3, 10.  

Level: medium - advanced.

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A buoyant piece with rural charm. Offen it is given by an improvisated vocal event of the strings.

Level: medium.

Johann Strauß: Bauern-Polka

Even the title betrays an impressive picture. A real firework - not only for the percussion players of your orchestra!

Level: advanced.

A royal gem from the pen of the russian composer, full of strongness and dance-like character. The more quiet middle section might be a contribution from César Cui, the first publisher of Moussorgsky's opera.

Level: medium - advanced.

Russian vitality in accordance with instrumentatoric refinement. This mixture is responsible for the outstanding effect in your concert. The current version is modelled closely to the original of his opera. Particularly difficult passages are facilitated a little bit.

Level: advanced.

It is time!
The horns are sounding!
The hunters in their hunting dress are mounted on their horses;
in early dawn the borzois are jumping.
(Alexander Pushkin, Graf Nulin) 

The jubilant horns and all hunting fanfares are pressing forwards. The whole orchestra rushes off in a rapid tempo. Some tranquility rises up in the central section with scattered calls of the high an the low brass. But the consistent rhythm of the triplets leads over to the reprise with a distinctive end.

Level: advanced.