'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.

5. Barkarole - 1:50, 6. Capriccio - 3:48, 7. Romanze - 5:30

'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.

8. Intermezzo - 1:05, 9.Novelette -2:56, 10. Scherzo - 5:15

Whether both composers have met each other is questionable. When Beethoven came to Vienna in 1790 to introduce himself to Mozart as a new student, Mozart was probably travelling (Potsdam). When Beethoven finally moved to Vienna in 1792, Mozart had already died.
The present arrangements of single movements from Mozart's and Beethoven's piano sonatas were composed during my studies in Freiburg in 1970 (Beethoven Year). They were pure instrumentation studies and were never performed. Recently I had the idea of reworking these pieces and combining them. The movements are similar in character and structure to a four-movement symphony, but the keys have been chosen and adapted to each other. It would certainly be a successful contribution for the Beethoven anniversary in 2020.
Inside: Mozart, Allegro aus KV 332, Beethoven, Allegretto aus op. 14,1, Beethoven, Largo appassionato aus op. 2,2, Mozart, Alla Turca aus KV 331

A short piano piece in Latin American mode for small youth orchestra. The catchy main theme and several episodes alternate. The strings dominate, the wind instruments create additional colour and contribute to the increase. Latin percussion instruments mark the rhythm and convey local colour.

Level: medium - advanced 

The original, the "First Suite in Eb for Military Band", was composed in 1909, making it one of the first and also most important works for the wind orchestra (26 voices & timpani and drums).
The version for youth orchestra replaces some instruments and adds a five-voice string section. This results in some new timbres, while the basic structure is always preserved.
In the chaconne the individual sections are clearly emphasized, the given articulations are taken over and the final dynamics are impressively worked out.

Level: medium - advanced

Who does not know the little piano piece WoO 59 by Ludwig van Beethoven? In this arrangement you can play it with the whole students ensemble. The original key has been retained, the piano part corresponds to the original.

Pedagogically suitable as an introduction to the theme: Classical, Rondo form.

Level: easy - medium 

March No. 1 in F major (WoO 18), known as the Yorcksch March or March of the Yorck Corps, is one of the most famous German military marches. Ludwig van Beethoven composed the piece in 1809 as "March for Archduke Anton" and renamed it in the same year as "Marcia No. 1 for the Bohemian Land Army". In 1813 the march was named in honour of the Prussian general Ludwig Yorck von Wartenburg (commander in the German wars of liberation).
In this arrangement for mixed student ensemble, the key was shifted to C major. Pedagogically suitable as an introduction to the theme: March, A-B-A form.

Level: easy - medium 

The Septet in E flat major op. 20 was sketched in 1799 and premiered in the same year. The first edition, published in 1802, is dedicated to Empress Maria Theresa. The original instrumentation was expanded for a student ensemble, the key was made easier and some technically difficult passages were modified.
Pedagogically suitable as an introduction to classical music, A-B-A form.

Level: easy - medium 

The original was probably composed in 1793 and was most likely intended as the final movement of the octet op. 103. In the instrumentation (2 Ob, 2 Kl, 2 Fg, 2 Hrn) the two natural horns are particularly striking: they are virtuosic, almost concertante.
In this arrangement, the added strings serve partly to amplify the wind instruments, but also to structure and colour the arrangement. The horn parts have been normalized. The result is a melodically catchy piece with a rondo character and classical cut.

Level: medium - advanced 

Small character piece of enchanting intimacy, beyond the usual heroic march character. Effect through simplicity and retention of the essential elements of the genre. Not difficult to play, well suited for an orchestra in progress.

Level: medium 

The late, eight-part choral work in a version for youth orchestra. Brahms refers to the multi-choral compositions of the early baroque period (Venetian era). The dense, imitative movement stands for seriousness and solemnity. The transfer to the instruments of the orchestra lends colour to the voices and structures the work.

1. Unsere Väter - 2. Wenn ein starker 02:20 - 3. Wo ist ein so herrlich Volk 04:50

Level: medium - advanced

A beautiful piece of sound with a solemn character. Quite easy to play, well suited for a youth orchestra in the beginning or build-up.

Key: GMaj, Level: easy

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

This march from 1901, which Edward VII wanted for his coronation celebrations, is underlaid with the words "Land of Hope and Glory" and became almost more popular than the official British national anthem God Save the Queen (King). Here is a version for youth orchestra, whose instrumentation is based on the original. Some parts have been combined, others added. All in all, the piece is relieved, but does not lose any of its outstanding tonal effect.

Level: advanced

The first of the four instrumental pieces of the one-act stage work of the same name, which was premiered in April 1919. The present version for youth orchestra retains the key, facilitates some instrumental parts and expands the sound space by adding more instruments. The cheerful, light character was adopted.

level: medium

The March was first performed on 24 August 1907 at Queen's Hall, London, under the composer's direction.
The splendid arrangement is very similar to the original in terms of the great instrumentation. However, some voices were combined or omitted, alternative additional voices were added, the key was retained.

Level: advanced