Elgar completed the work in July 1888, when he became engaged to Caroline Alice Roberts. He called it in German "Liebesgruß", since Miss Roberts spoke German fluently. The piece was his own personal engagement gift.

Primordially composed for violin and piano, this version is based on Elgar's original instrumentation. A new key and slight changes in instrumentation and setting make this delightful piece playable for your orchestra.         .

Key: Dmaj, Level: medium

Fauré wrote or revised the six short pieces for four-hand piano between 1893-96. Occasions were the birthdays or other events in the life of the little daughter of the composer, called "Dolly". 
The first and likewise best know piece has a lovely catchy melody with tender accompaniment - typical for a lullaby. The usual six-eight rhythm is lacking, there is a two-four time with semiquaver motion.
The piece was adapted in keys and playability to a youth orchestra.

Level: medium.

Probably the most famous and well-known Polonaise of Chopin - originally in Amaj - here in a facilitated version for youth orchestra in Gmaj. A really festive piece which will add glamour to your concert!

Level: medium.

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.

Extract from the third part of the today only little known Christmas oratorio of the Austrian composer Heinrich von Herzogenberg - a friend of Johannes Brahms and Edvard Grieg.

The numerous vocal parts (solo and choir) have been substituted by instruments until one soprano part. The keys were facilitated and colour and sonic differentation were carried over. The outstanding usage of old Christmas songs (Quem pastores laudavere, Kommet ihr Hirten, In dulci jubilo) is a special feature, whereas the soprano part is ad.libitum in this version.

This piece will be a true enrichment for your Christmas concerto!

Level: medium

The ecclesial Christmas song from the sixteenth's century is mainly known in the four-part choir setting of Michael Praetorius. He also created the popular text of the second verse. In this impressive arrangement the choir is substituted by wind instruments. The choir part is also inside as vokal part.

In the recitative introduction the vocal part can be played by several instruments (alternativo).

Level: medium

Charming little composition (extract from the ballet music) in typical hungarian manner: After a short introduction there is a slow melodic part first (= "lassú"). Then a quick dance (Allegretto = "friss") which is ending with a climax to Presto. Your orchestra members will love this piece!

Level: medium.

An energetic and glorious Allegro piece in italian manner. Violin 1. & 2 are playing mostly in unisono. You will find the both concertino instruments in several tuning (C, Bb, F, Eb). Therefore they can be configurated with variability.  
The main framework are the strings and the both concertinos, the other instruments are ad. libitum.

This piece is also well suited for your Christmas concerto.

Level:  medium

This piece is a cheerful movement with a fugato part in distinctive baroque tempo. Well suitable for a festive concert, also at Christmas time.

The three Concerti a due cori, where the orchestra is divided in two choirs of woodwinds and a string choir with continuo, are mostly no independent compositions but have been arranged by Handel from several oratorio choirs and played as interludes in his oratorio performances. 

Level: medium

Sheperds music full of atmosphere, sounds of chalumeaux, a virtuous middle part: a new discovery for your Christmas concerto.

Level: medium

The impressive, wonderful filigree piece - supplemet to the opera "Goyescas" - in a version for youth orchestra. Spanish music: first a distinctive Flamenco phrase in the whole orchestra, then a beguilingly sonorous melody, increasing to a climax with blaring brass. Then a retrogression to the end with melodic fragments of the beginning.
Probably the last composition of Granados - he died with a ship accident in 1916.

Level: medium.

"Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" is a Christmas carol that first appeared in 1739 in the collection Hymns and Sacred Poems, having been written by Charles Wesley. In 1840, a hundred years after the publication of Hymns and Sacred Poems, Mendelssohn composed a cantata (Festgesang) to commemorate Johann Gutenberg's invention of the printing press. In 1855, English musician William H. Cummings adapted Felix Mendelssohn's secular music from Festgesang to 
fit the lyrics of "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" written by Charles Wesley.
Here a version for youth orchestra with four-part choir ad. lib. The original is adorned by a prelude, two interludes and figuration. Thereby it's festive impression is increased.

Level: medium,

Handel used many of his compositions in multiple ways - a common manner in the music of the Baroque era. The choir "And the glory, the glory of the Lord" is here in the pure instrumental arrangement of the "Concerto a due cori 1", written in 1747. In this version  the orchestra is divided in two choirs of woodwinds and a string choir with continuo.

The arrangement follows this. The first choir uses flutes & oboes the second clarinets as high voices, brass and timpani are added

Your Christmas concerto will get a special accent by this arrangement.

Level: medium

Fourth movement from the Suita op. 98.

Level: medium

The world-famous "Hallelujah" from Handel's "Messiah" in a version for youth orchestra. Even without a choir, this piece is extraordinarily effective. The key was lightened a little, the instrumental instrumentation filled up.

Not only at Christmas your concert gets a special accent with this piece.

Level: medium

Inside: Allegro, Hornpipe2, lentement, Aire, Minuet.
The virtous trumpet and horn sections has been facilitated by new keys and some changes. The original is extended in some places (using of clarinets and percussion). The string setting is like the original, the repetitions were orchestrated in different manner to increase their colouring.

Level: medium

Two nice, well playable movements from Grieg's suite "in the old style". Originally written for piano, the composer has created a very sophisticated version for string orchestra, which is best known. The present arrangement is based on this and supplements the string parts with various instrumental aspects by the wind instruments. The repetitions are mostly composed out of the original and some facilitations in the string section are present.

Level: medium

This piece is fascinating by it's wonderful sonorous melody in the lower position of the violins. Like the "Chanson de Nuit" it is based on an opus for violin and piano. The small orchestra corresponds to Elgar's original intention. The piano part is inalterable to play the very important chord of the harp.

Level: medium

A combination of particulary effective sections. Inside: Hornpipe1, Air, Bourrée, Minuet. The original winds (oboe, horns, bassoon) were extended in some places. The string setting is like the original, the repetitions were orchestrated in different manner to increase their colouring.

Level: medium

Though the music to the choir “For unto us a child is born” is original from an Italian chamber duet with secular amorous text Handel has included this piece in "The Messiah" in congenial manner. In this version the original choir is substituted by wind instruments.
The following shepherd's music (Pifa) is presented in the longer threepart form. Also here a colorful enrichment of the original pure string orchestra is builded by wind and brass instruments.

Level: medium

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 well-known dance piece in mazurka style in an instrumentation for youth orchestra. The original string instrumentation was supplemented by winds and timpani, the key was changed to G minor. The repetition parts were orchestrated in changing instrumentation, resulting in a greater variety of colours.

Key: gMin, 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.

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 

A beautyful piece for small orchestra, also useful as an encore. Primary composed for violin & piano is this version based on the original instrumentation of Elgar.

Level: medium.

The so called "dance movements" from Handel's magnificent composition in a version for youth orchestra. The string setting is like the original, the repetitions were orchestrated in different manner to increase their colouring.

Level: medium

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.

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

Why to play always a whole symphony? A single movement can convey a wonderful view into the manner of classical composition too. The three Menuets (No. 35, "Haffner-Symphony", KV 385, No. 39, "late symphony in EbMaj", KV 543  and No. 40 "great symphony in gMin", KV 550) provide this particulary. Wonderful, universally wellknown themes, in great setting and no to difficult to play. A "highlight" for your concert, used "en bloc" or single (e.g. as an surprising encore).