Three well known Spirituals composed in classical manner for three-part female choir a cappella (S1 - S2 - A ).The varied choral setting, which contains ambitous but not to difficult parts for each voice, has inspired every choir up to now.

Included: "Swing low, sweet chariot", "Oh, when the saints", "Ev'ry time I feel the spirit".

Level: medium

Three well known Spirituals composed in classical manner for three-part female choir a cappella (S1 - S2 - A ). The varied choral setting, which contains ambitous but not to difficult parts for each voice, has inspired every choir up to now.

Included: "Joshua fit the battle ob Jericho", "Deep river", "Go down Moses",

Level: medium

A less well known Christmas Spiritual composed in classical manner for four-part mixed choir a cappella (S1 - S2 - A - M). In a moderato tempo and mostly in the key of a bitter G-minor the piece is brightening up towards the end and is finished by a triumphant G-major chord.

The varied choral setting contains ambitous but not to difficult parts for each voice.
Level: medium

6 well known Spirituals composed in classical manner for four-part mixed choir a cappella (S - A - T - B). The varied choral setting, which contains ambitous but not to difficult parts for each voice, has inspired every choir up to now.

Included: "Joshua fit the battle ob Jericho", "Deep river", "Go down Moses","Swing low, sweet chariot", "Oh, when the saints", "Ev'ry time I feel the spirit".
Level: medium

Reduced bundle price!

Three well known Spirituals composed in classical manner for four-part mixed choir a cappella (S - A - T - B). The varied choral setting, which contains ambitous but not to difficult parts for each voice, has inspired every choir up to now.

Included: "Swing low, sweet chariot", "Oh, when the saints", "Ev'ry time I feel the spirit".
Level: medium

Three well known Spirituals composed in classical manner for four-part mixed choir a cappella (S - A - T - B). The varied choral setting, which contains ambitous but not to difficult parts for each voice, has inspired every choir up to now.

Included: "Joshua fit the battle ob Jericho", "Deep river", "Go down Moses",

Level: medium

The Slavonic March op. 31, also known under the title Serbo-Russian March, is a programmatic concert march with the background of the Serbo-Turkisk War from 1876 to 78. Serbian folk tunes, military music and the hymn of the czar determine this opus. The arrangement for youth orchestra is facilitated by a new key, short cuts and other details. The origin cumulative effect is completely retained however.

Level: advanced.

A Pastorale with bucolic main theme, an energetic Polka, the calm, swaying Sousedská, a slow Romanza in nine-eight time and the Furiant with rhythmic activity, partly hemiolas: this is Dvorák's Czech Suite op. 39. 
This version was facilitated by new keys and changed instrumentation. More informations with the single movements.

Level: medium - advanced

Reduced bundle price!

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,

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 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

Dvorák's popular Polka from the Czech Suite op. 39 in a well playable arrangement for youth orchestra. Instrumentation, playability and keys are adapted and facilitated.

Level: medium - 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 first booklet of the "Songs without words" (op.19 composed about 1829-30) was initially called Melodies for the Pianoforte. The current version makes a division of the piano part into a oboe and a piano voice. The keys are adjusted, the ranges of the oboe are reduced.

"December - Christmas" from "The seasons", op.37b

Once upon a Christmas night the girls were telling fortunes:
taking their slippers off their feet and throwing them out of the gate.
(Vasily Zhukovsky)

An elegant valse, which remembers to the magical Christmas celebrations in the former aristocratical Russia. The keys of the main section and the trio are mediant chords. The rhythms partly break the fixed scheme of the waltz by syncopation. A longer coda with big increase provides an impressive end.

"November - Troika" from "The seasons", op.37b

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.

"October - Autumn Song" from "The seasons", op.37b

Autumn, our poor garden is all falling down,
the yellowed leaves are flying in the wind.
(Lev Nikolayevich Tolstoy)

Foggy tristesse is in the air. Melancholy melodies of the winds dominate the scene. A rising theme of the strings provides some hope, but wistfulness remains.

"September - Hunting" from "The seasons", op.37b

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.

The first booklet of the "Songs without words" (op.19 composed about 1829-30) was initially called Melodies for the Pianoforte. The current version makes a division of the piano part into a clarinet and a piano voice. The keys are adjusted, the ranges of the clarinet are reduced.

Gioacchino Rossinis "La Carità" - original for 4 female voices & piano - in a very well sounding version for solo soprano, three-part female choir and youth orchestra.

Level: medium.

The first booklet of the "Songs without words" (op.19 composed about 1829-30) was initially called Melodies for the Pianoforte. The current version makes a division of the piano part into a viola and a piano voice. The keys are adjusted, the ranges of the viola are reduced..

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

Éljen a Magyar! (Long live the Hungarian!) is a polka composed by Johann Strauss II. It was first performed at the Redoutensaal building in Pest in March 1869. The work was dedicated "to the Hungarian Nation." It is characterized by fiery musical subjects and typical Hungarian rhythms.The coda of the work features a fleeting quotation from the Rákóczi March.

This version is facilitated by choosing new keys.

Level: medium.

This ear-catcher also known as "European Anthem" will inspire your young orchestra! Suitable as opener or at the end of the concert as well as an encore this facilitated version is a successful start to your concert activities

Level: easy.

Henry Purcells Rondeau from "Abdelazer" is well known by Benjamin Brittens composition "The Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra". It forms the basis for Brittens great set of variations. It is a simple rondeau form with 2 couplets which is transformed to an effective orchestral piece by subtle instrumentation.

Level: easy.

The collection of 3 well known pieces for horn in F and strings is suitable for numerous festivities - especially weddings - and contains the following titles:

a) Jeremiah Clarke: Trumpet voluntary, b) George Frederick Handel: "Ombra mai fu", c) Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy: From the Wedding March

Level: easy - medium.

 

The collection of 3 well known pieces for clarinet in Bb and strings is suitable for numerous festivities - especially weddings - and contains the following titles:

a) Jeremiah Clarke: Trumpet voluntary, b) George Frederick Handel: "Ombra mai fu", c) Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy: From the Wedding March

Level: easy - 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.

Rossinis lively ouverture in a playable version for youth orchestra. The difficult original key has been facilitated, little drawbacks have been retouched and thereby defused. However the overall character of this great piece has been fully maintained. 

Level: advanced.

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.