Claude Debussy composed his two booklets Préludes pour piano (Preludes for Piano) between 1910 and 1913. The total of 24 pieces for piano usually have a poetic title that refers to the respective mood and peculiarity of the piece, and represent self-contained musical character pieces.

This version contains 5 selected titles that seem particularly suitable for an orchestral realization. Included: 01 Danseuses de Delphes, 02 Voiles, 06 Des pas sur la neige, 08 La fille aux cheveux de lin, 10 La cathédrale engloutie

The present arrangement for string orchestra is based on small character pieces for four-hand piano, composed in 1809 and 1819 respectively. A-B-A forms are present in each case, the keys are always in the ratio of variants. The parts are partly led divisi, the viola is supported by a 3rd violin.

The first piece "all' ongharese" (In Hungarian style) contains particular rhythmic elements as they were common in some compositions of the early 19th century (Weber: Andante & Rondo ongharese, Berlioz: Hungarian March).

Here a retexted version of the Coronation Anthem Zadok the Priest according to baroque contrafaction. It is one of the four anthems, which were composed commisioned by King George II for his coronation in 1727.

This is a large-scale piece in three parts with magnificent increase and splendid last part, which remembers to the Hallelujah choir from Messiah. The facilitated version for youth orchestra and choir is surely an enrichment for your Christmas concert! 

Level: advanced

Entrance music and conclusion of the ballet opera premiered in 1735. The complete work, which was very novel at the time, features a sequence of images with independent themes, each treated differently - dramatically, tragically or comically.
The opening is an extended French overture in G major in the style of Jean-Baptiste Lully, the ending a chaconne with several thematic sections. The instrumentation, which is quite thin in the original (mainly strings), is colorfully enriched and differentiated by the addition of various wind instruments and timpani.
 

Three pieces from the composer's probably most famous stage work, the ballet opera "Les Indes galantes". The originals from 1735 were arranged for small youth orchestra and represent a beautiful example of elegance and euphony of French baroque music.

According to Hans Joachim Moser, Reinecke belongs stylistically "to the circle of the Schumanians", i.e. to the musicians who identified with Robert Schumann's artistic goals in the sense of a romantic classicism.

The selection arranged for youth orchestra from the total of fourteen piano pieces includes the picture titles below. The maximum instrumentation is necessary especially for the last picture.keys and movement technique were adapted to the playing ability of a youth orchestra. The pieces are very suitable for a Christmas concert.

The Shepherds in the Field, Migration to Bethlehem, The Rest of the Holy Family, The Wedding at Cana.

'Aquarellen' (= watercolours) by Niels Wilhelm Gade (composed 1850) are ten romantic, atmospheric pieces for piano of quite different character. In the present version for small youth orchestra the individual characteristics are clearly emphasized and set apart from each other. The original keys are partly changed, playing techniques are adapted to special techniques of the orchestra.
An absolutely new arrangement, which helps this beautiful opus to its deserved fame.

1. Elegie -1:17, 2. Scherzo - 2:25, 3.Kanzonette -4:04, 4. Humoreske -5: 11
5. Barkarole - 1:50, 6. Capriccio - 3:48, 7. Romanze - 5:30
8. Intermezzo - 1:05, 9.Novelette -2:56, 10. Scherzo - 5:15

Three Duos B. 504 - 506 by Ignaz Pleyel in the version for violin and cello after the edition of J. Schmitt, Amsterdam (1788).
Correction of mistakes and transcription into modern notation. Both parts are set quite virtuosic. The rediscovery of this group of pieces is a real enrichment of the duo literature.

Level: advanced

Reduced bundle price

The original composition for piano for four hands from the composer's early phase in a version for string orchestra. First of all, a lyrical piece in which the motif of flowing water is translated. Then a merry entry march, followed by a light movement with a modal tendency in three-quarter time. At the end, a dance-like piece that alternates between two quarter and three-eighth bars. Memorable themes, striking rhythms and colourful harmonies define the work. 

The well known ans very popular composition in a version for string orchester.

level: medium

These are originally concertos for four solo violins, but without any accompaniment. Perhaps they were intended as practice pieces for violin students or the violinists of the court chapels. Here is an arrangement for clarinets or bassoons, transposed to B-flat major. Thus, mixed or choral instrumentation is also possible.

Level: medium

These are originally concertos for four solo violins, but without any accompaniment. Perhaps they were intended as practice pieces for violin students or the violinists of the court chapels. Here is an arrangement for violas or violoncellos, transposed to the lower fifth. Thus a mixed or choral instrumentation is also possible.

Level: medium

'Aquarellen' (= watercolours) by Niels Wilhelm Gade (composed 1850) are ten romantic, atmospheric pieces for piano of quite different character. In the present version for small youth orchestra the individual characteristics are clearly emphasized and set apart from each other. The original keys are partly changed, playing techniques are adapted to special techniques of the orchestra.
An absolutely new arrangement, which helps this beautiful opus to its deserved fame.

1. Elegie -1:17, 2. Scherzo - 2:25, 3.Kanzonette -4:04, 4. Humoreske -5: 11
5. Barkarole - 1:50, 6. Capriccio - 3:48, 7. Romanze - 5:30
8. Intermezzo - 1:05, 9.Novelette -2:56, 10. Scherzo - 5:15

Reduced bundle price!

Robert Schumann's "Myrten" op. 25, written in 1840, is a song cycle in four booklets that Schumann dedicated to his bride Clara Wieck and gave her as a wedding present on September 12, 1840.

From it the following titles:
1. Widmung, 2. Freisinn (1:57), 3. Der Nussbaum (3:04). 4. Die Lotosblume (5:57), 5. Talismane (7:40). 6. Zum Schluss (9:33)

Robert Schumann's "Myrten" op. 25, written in 1840, is a song cycle in four booklets that Schumann dedicated to his bride Clara Wieck and gave her as a wedding present on September 12, 1840.

From it the following titles:
1. Widmung, 2. Freisinn (1:57), 3. Der Nussbaum (3:04). 4. Die Lotosblume (5:57), 5. Talismane (7:40). 6. Zum Schluss (9:33)

Robert Schumann's "Myrten" op. 25, written in 1840, is a song cycle in four booklets that Schumann dedicated to his bride Clara Wieck and gave her as a wedding present on September 12, 1840.

From it the following titles:
1. Widmung, 2. Freisinn (1:57), 3. Der Nussbaum (3:04). 4. Die Lotosblume (5:57), 5. Talismane (7:40). 6. Zum Schluss (9:33)

This very charming song cycle "Frauenliebe und -leben" of Robert Schumann gets in this version for cello and string orchestra an absolutely new and surprising sound.

1. Seit ich ihn gesehen, 2. Er, der Herrlichste von allen (1:29), 3. Ich kann's nicht fassen (4:17), 4. Du Ring an meinem Finger (5:29), 5. Helft mir, ihr Schwestern (7:40), 6. Süßer Freund, du blickest (9:25), 7. An meinem Herzen (12:37), 8. Nun hast du mir den ersten Schmerz getan (13:40)

Robert Schumanns congenial song cycle after poems of Joseph v Eichendorff gets in this version for cello and string orchestra absolutely new sound aspects. You will be surprised!

1. In der Fremde,  2. Intermezzo (1:37), 3. Waldesgespräch (3:16), 4. Die Stille (5:09), 5. Mondnacht (6:29), 6. Schöne Fremde (9:06)
 

Robert Schumanns congenial song cycle after poems of Joseph v Eichendorff gets in this version for cello and string orchestra absolutely new sound aspects. You will be surprised!

7. "Auf einer Burg,  8. In der Fremde (2:22), 9. Wehmut (3:34), 10. Zwielicht (5:26), 11. Im Walde (8:19), 12. Frühlingsnacht (9:25)
 

Robert Schumanns congenial song cycle after poems of Joseph v Eichendorff gets in this version for horn and string orchestra absolutely new sound aspects. You will be surprised!

1. In der Fremde,  2. Intermezzo (1:37), 3. Waldesgespräch (3:16), 4. Die Stille (5:09), 5. Mondnacht (6:29), 6. Schöne Fremde (9:06)
 

Robert Schumanns congenial song cycle after poems of Joseph v Eichendorff gets in this version for horn in F and string orchestra absolutely new sound aspects. You will be surprised!

7. "Auf einer Burg,  8. In der Fremde (2:22), 9. Wehmut (3:34), 10. Zwielicht (5:26), 11. Im Walde (8:19), 12. Frühlingsnacht (9:25)
 

A poet's love is a cycle of 16 songs by the composer Robert Schumann, whose Opus 48 was one of the highlights of the romantic art song. The cycle was written in 1840 for poems from Heinrich Heine's "Lyrisches Intermezzo", a collection of 65 poems that had appeared in tragedies together with a lyrical intermezzo in 1823, then in the Book of Songs in 1827. Of the 20 songs composed, 16 were finally printed.
Here is a version for cello and string orchestra with completely new sound aspects.

1. Im wunderschönen Monat Mai, 2. Aus meinen Tränen sprießen (1:15), 3. Die Rose, die Lilie, die Taube (2:15), 4. Wenn ich in deine Augen seh (2:50), 5. Ich will meine Seele tauchen (4:16), 6. Im Rhein, im heiligen Strome (5:08), 7. Ich grolle nicht (7:09), 8. Und wüßten's die Blumen (8:49)
 

A poet's love is a cycle of 16 songs by the composer Robert Schumann, whose Opus 48 was one of the highlights of the romantic art song. The cycle was written in 1840 for poems from Heinrich Heine's "Lyrisches Intermezzo", a collection of 65 poems that had appeared in tragedies together with a lyrical intermezzo in 1823, then in the Book of Songs in 1827. Of the 20 songs composed, 16 were finally printed.
Here is a version for cello and string orchestra with completely new sound aspects.

9. Das ist ein Flöten und Geigen, 10. Hör ich das Liedchen klingen (1:27), 11. Ein Jüngling liebt ein Mädchen (2:54), 12. Am leuchtenden Sommermorgen (3:54), 13. Ich hab im Traum geweinet (5:58), 14. Allnächtlich im Traume (7: 53), 15. Aus alten Märchen winkt es (8:57), 16. Die alten, bösen Lieder (11:14)

A poet's love is a cycle of 16 songs by the composer Robert Schumann, whose Opus 48 was one of the highlights of the romantic art song. The cycle was written in 1840 for poems from Heinrich Heine's "Lyrisches Intermezzo", a collection of 65 poems that had appeared in tragedies together with a lyrical intermezzo in 1823, then in the Book of Songs in 1827. Of the 20 songs composed, 16 were finally printed.
Here is a version for horn and string orchestra with completely new sound aspects.

1. Im wunderschönen Monat Mai, 2. Aus meinen Tränen sprießen (1:15), 3. Die Rose, die Lilie, die Taube (2:15), 4. Wenn ich in deine Augen seh (2:50), 5. Ich will meine Seele tauchen (4:16), 6. Im Rhein, im heiligen Strome (5:08), 7. Ich grolle nicht (7:09), 8. Und wüßten's die Blumen (8:49)
 

In this version for soprano and string orchestra the 6 late song compositions of Johannes Brahms an absolutely totally new and surprising sound.

Audio examples CLARINET
Feldeinsamkeit op. 86,2,Immer leiser wird mein Schlummer op. 105,2,Nachtwandler op. 86,3,Sapphische Ode op. 94,4,Wie Melodien op. 105,1,Wir wandelten op. 96,2.