The title "Annen-Polka" refers to the popular 'Annenfest' in Vienna on the occasion of St. Anne's Day on July 26th. Johann Strauss (jr.) composed a polka for this occasion in 1852 and dedicated it to the then empress of Austria, Maria Anna (1803 - 1884). Here is a version for youth orchestras, facilitated by new keys and instrumentation.                                         

Key: CMaj, Level: medium

The fizzy little piece was written by the composer of the Radetzky-March. First in the small instrumentation of the Strauss orchestra, then more and more extended to a full youth orchestra. The original solo of the Posthorn was transformed to the trumpets and horns. 

Level: easy - medium.

The light-hearted march full of cheerful melody and tight rhythm in a version for large youth orchestra. The piece in the typical A-B-A form comes from the end of the operetta and does without the use of a four-part choir. The original key has been preserved, some facilitations in the instrumentation are present.

Level: medium

Impressive composition of the younger brother of Johann Strauß II. With a lot of brass ( 4 horns, 4 trumpets, 3 trombones and tuba) and an arsenal of percussion (snare drum, base drum, anvil, gong, tamtam and timpani) the piece will continue to fulfill its name.

Level: medium

Josef Strauß: Feuerfest!

The so called "Krapfenwaldl" is a hill and a forest in Döbling, the19th district of Vienna. He describes the idyllic mood of the natur with cheerful melodies by using cuckoo's call and other birdcalls. Therefore a treble recorder and a bird's whistle are necessary.

This version is facilitated by choosing a new key.

Level: medium.

Johann Strauß: Im Krapfenwaldl

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.

The cheerful  Polka in a version for youth orchestras. Strauss composed his work on a concert tour to St. Petersburg in 1858 and completed it in Vienna, where the premiere took place. A new key and a slightly modified instrumentation make the piece easier without losing its freshness and originality.

Key: GMaj, Level: medium

In 1551 the Antwerpen composer and publisher released a little music book called "Dansereye". It contained fourpart dancing tunes about well known chants and own compositions.
Here a simple version of five compositions for your youth orchestra. The catchy melodies, the driving rhythms and the colorful instrumentation will enthuse surely!

Level: easy

"January - At the Fireside" from "The seasons", op.37b

A little corner of peaceful bliss,
the night dressed in twilight;
the little fire is dying in the fireplace,
and the candle has burned out.
(Alexander Pushkin)

Beautiful melodies in changing instrumentation and shimmering chords  determine the beginning. In the middle the fire is flaring, sending out sparks.  A string tremolo accompanies the descending figuration of the winds. At the end the fire's glow goes out slowly, the figuration gets higher and more quietly. By the new key GMaj this version is easier to play.

Level: medium - advanced

"March - Song of the Lark" from "The seasons", op.37b

The field shimmering with flowers,
the stars swirling in the heavens,
the song of the lark
fills the blue abyss.
(Apollon Maykov)

A frothy tender little spring picture. Solo woodwinds convey the singing of the lark, muted strings describe the light fog in the atmosphere.

Level: medium - advanced

"May - Starlit Nights" from "The seasons", op.37b

What a night!
What bliss all about!
I thank my native north country!
From the kingdom of ice,
snowstorms and snow,
how fresh and clean May flies in!
(Afanasy Fet)

Clearly drawn and impressive sounding the first theme in nine-eight time, where the beginning is played only by the wind instruments. Following a change between winds and strings (partly pizz.). The central section in minor and two-four time is more agitated and runs up to a culmination in major. At the end a reprise with reversed instrumentation which fades away in the strings (con sordino).

Level: medium - advanced

"July - Song of the Reapers" from "The seasons", op.37b

Move the shoulders,
shake the arms!
And the noon wind
breathes in the face!
(Aleksey Koltsov)

A cheerful jubilant march is proceeding, contrasted by a more lugubrious pedal point and frequently interrupted by a little standstill. At the end the first theme fades away in pianissimo.

Level: medium - 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.

In your loneliness do not look at the road,
and do not rush out after the troika.
Suppress at once and forever the fear of longing in your heart.
(Nikolay Nekrasov).

A sleigh ride with rapid horses, tingling bells and shining snow (virtuous part of the flutes). A dance-like section in the centre interrupted by the coachman's crack of the whip. The new key GMaj makes the piece well playable.

Level: advanced.

You can find the piece in many transcriptions, here a version for youth orchestra. Particularly attractive is the songlike main theme in unconventional rhythmical design. It is contrasted by a second, more conventional theme with an accompaniment in ostinato technique. The instrumentation (little symphonic orchestra) underlines these elements of composition and creates atmosphere. The piece is facilitated by the new key.

Level: medium