20003 – Nutcracker Suite

P. I. Tchaikowsky (1840 – 1893)

Arranged by Roger Harvey

Difficulty: Hard

Price: £35.00

(2picc; 2 Bflat; 2 flugels; 2 hns; 4 trbs: tuba; opt perc)

Programme notes:

The Nutcracker Ballet, written in 1892, was the last of Tchaikowsky’s 3 great dance pieces for the theatre. Although it is considered the least significant score it contains some of his most popular music. It is delightfully tuneful and colourfully orchestrated. The ballet itself was not initially successful but the Suite, which Tchaikowsky soon made, was received well.

This selection from the Suite contains:

• Miniature Overture
• March
• Arab Dance
• Chines Dance
• Trepak

Performance notes:

The upper 2 trumpet parts can be played on Eflat or Bflat piccolo as required.

The percussion parts are optional but preferable throughout.

Miniature Overture: Play very lightly and with pointed rhythm.

March: This also needs good rhythmic style. In bar 5 and elsewhere, keep the semiquaver nicely tight. Bass trombone and tuba take care to keep the quaver movement controlled in 5 onwards. I the central section, at E, keep the accompaniment at a level that allows the semiquaver tune to be clean and positive without straining.

Arab Dance: Play this melody with sensuous style. The muted accompaniment needs to be very gentle and accurate.

Chinese Dance~: Enjoy the accompaniment but attempt to balance all the constituent parts.

Trepak: Aim for a lively tempo but not too fast to keep control. The dynamics are vital to the style.