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March – Woodwind Quintet
The Suite of movements extracted by Tchaikovsky from his ballet music for The Nutcracker was an immediate success. As prevalent as the complete ballet The Nutcracker is today, it is hard to imagine that it took years, and perhaps the staging of George Balanchine, for it to become popular.
Some of the most memorable pieces from the suite are the Characteristic Dances. In Act II of the ballet, these movements are employed to introduce different residents of the “Land of Sweets.” Tchaikovsky’s orchestration makes adept use of wind instrument color. This translates very effectively in arrangements for the woodwind quintet.
In the March (Marche et petit galop des enfants) from Act I, children act as soldiers to music that is at the same time martial and innocent.
Composer: Mark Questad
Instrumentation: Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, F Horn & Bassoon
Duration/# of Pages: ca. 2:40 / 23 pages, 8.5″ x 11″
Key: G -
Nymphes des Bois (Josquin) – Flute Choir
Nymphes des bois, also known as La Déploration de Johannes Ockeghem, is a lament by Josquin des Prez (ca. 1445 – 1521) on the death of his predecessor, Ockeghem. Josquin was one of the most influential Renaissance composers and was considered a great master of his time.
The music is based on a poem (elegy) by Jean Molinet, a French poet and composer. The descending thirds in the chorus represent the names of the composers of that time: Josquin, Pierson, Brumel and Compére.
The lyrics to the chorus are:
Put on the clothes of mourning.
Josquin, Pierson, Brumel, Compére.
And weep great tears from your eyes,
For you have lost your good father.
May they rest in peace.Amen
Composer: Anne McGinty
Instrumentation: 4 C Flutes, Alto Flute & Bass Flute
Duration/# of Pages: ca. 3:15 / 11 pages, 8.5″ x 11″
Key: N/A -
O Christmas Tree / The Holly and the Ivy – Flute Quartet
A delightful arrangement of two familiar carols featuring spirited and creative scoring.
The flute quartets can easily be expanded to flute choir by adding both alto and bass flutes. The Alto Flute part is included and the bass plays Flute 4.
Composer: Bill Reichenbach
Instrumentation: Flute Quartet
Duration/# of Pages: ca. 2:45 / 17 pages, 8.5″ x 11″
Key: C – F – Bb -
O Come All Ye Faithful – Flute Quartet
This thoughtful arrangement will brighten your holiday with style.
The flute quartets can easily be expanded to flute choir by adding both alto and bass flutes. The Alto Flute part is included and the bass plays Flute 4.
Composer: Bill Reichenbach
Instrumentation: Flute Quartet
Duration/# of Pages: ca. 2:25 / 10 pages, 8.5″ x 11″
Key: D
