Four pieces from L'Arlesienne 2.

Level: medium - advanced.

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"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.

Dvorak opens the first collection of his Slavic dances opus 46 with a Furiant (fast dance in three-four time with inserted hemiolas).
The arrangement for youth orchestra is based on the original, but brings some relief through a new key (B flat major instead of C major), slightly changed instrumentation and setting.

Level: advanced

The 2nd dance from op. 72 is a Starodávny (slow dance in 3/4 time, "in the old style"). The original E minor was changed to G minor, numerous simplifications in instrumentation and setting facilitate the arrangement.

Level: advanced

For the fifth dance from op.72 Dvorak chooses a "Spacirka". The first part is solemnly walking, followed by a cheerful jumping dance. Both groups can be heard twice in a row. In this arrangement the keys were simplified (Bb minor to B minor, F sharp minor to G minor) and some changes were made to the setting and instrumentation. This makes this version much easier to play than the original.

Level: advanced

After the great success of the Slavonic dances op. 46 from 1878, Dvorak composed a new series in 1886. Here from it the last piece, a Sousedská (medium-fast Bohemian folk dance in 3/4 time). The present arrangement uses a new key (G instead of A flat), slight changes in instrumentation and setting contribute to simplification.

Level: advanced

The first movement from Dvorák's Czech Suite op. 39 has the title Preludium - Pastorale. The bucolic main theme, played by always changing instruments, remembers to a shepherd's pipe. Often you will find open fifths in the bottom part, which sound like a bourdon. This version for youth orchestra was facilitated by easier keys and enhanced instrumentation. 

Level: advanced

The Sousedská is a semi-slow Bohemian dance in three quarter time. It has a calm, swaying character and it is usually danced in a pair. This arrangement is in the original key and facilitated by an extended instrumentation and other details.

Level: advanced

The Romanza is the slow movement of Dvorák's Czech Suite op. 39, A calm flowing theme in nine-eight time is introduced in the high flute and pulling through the whole piece. Parallel thirds sometime provide a lovely sweet character, the accompanying eights form the soft foundation. The original key was retained, the English horn was replaced by the first clarinet. By little changes of the instrumentation the mouvement was facilitated.

Level: advanced

The Furiant, final movement of Dvorák's Czech Suite op. 39, in new key, with facilitated playability and some changes of instrumentation. Therefore this mouvement will also playable for an advanced youth orchestra and captivates by rhythmic activity (partly hemiolas) and melodic ideas. A fantastic tailpiece for your concert! 

Level: advanced,