SKU: A0.922635

Original by Johann Strauss II
Reduction to String Orchestra by Aaron Meier

Part: Full Score ONLY

True to the original work by Strauss, this reduction for string orchestra features the ornaments and mystical writing that defines Strauss' polkas. There are optional percussion parts to be added at the discretion of the ensemble, however even without percussion the ensemble will sound full (the percussion acts as an ornament).

Difficulty: Intermediate-advanced - advanced (best-suited for advanced student ensembles)
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Performance Notes:

• Approximate length: 3:30 minutes
• 1st Violins: In m. 1, trill a half step from a Dâ™­ to a Dâ™® 
• 2nd Violins:
 - At m. 42, divide players by 3, with 2 players playing line A and the remaining player playing line B
 - At m. 72-75, emphasize the E♭ in the div.
• Snare Drum: The buzz roll needs to be quieter than how it is played in the midi recording (*see YouTube link ↓)

History:

The Olga-Polka itself owed its creation to a Russian royal wedding which took place in St. Petersburg on 28 August 1857. On that day, amid accompanying splendour, the music-loving Grand Duke Michail Nikolaievich (1832-1909), youngest brother of Tsar Alexander II, married Princess Caecilie of Baden (1839-91), daughter of Archduke Leopold of Baden. Johann Strauss, who at that time was giving a summer season of concerts in nearby Pavlovsk, used the opportunity occasioned by the event to enhance his already enviable popularity with the Russian royal family and composed the Caecilien-Polka in honour of the lovely young bride. Indeed, it is clear from a letter which Johann wrote in late July 1857 to Carl Haslinger, his publisher in Vienna, that the new polka had been prepared well in advance of the wedding (the fair copy of the full orchestral score made for the publisher's engraver is dated 9 August) and was enjoying success even before the royal couple's official engagement on 16August 1857. Sometime after performing the Caecilien-Polka in Pavlovsk, Johann despatched the work to the Austrian capital where his brother Josef conducted its Viennese première, together with that of Johann's waltz Telegraphische Depeschen (op. 195, Volume 28), at his own benefit concert in the Volksgartenon Sunday 18 October 1857. The Wiener Allgemeine Theaterzeitung (16.10.1857) remarked that both works have caused a sensation in St. Petersburg and are truly genial Viennese sounds full of verve and melody.

Since tradition demanded that the German Princess Caecilie adopt a Russian name - Olga Feodorovna - before her marriage, so Johann's Caecilien-Polka also underwent a change of identity. On 8 December 1857 Carl Haslinger announced the publication of Strauss's Olga-Polka, on the title page of which is the inscription: Dedicated to her Imperial Highness Grand Duchess Olga, née Princess of Baden. It was under this title, too, that Johann himself first conducted the work in Vienna at a concert in the Volksgarten on 1 November 1857, shortly after his return from Russia. Reporting on this event, the Wiener Allgemeine Theaterzeitung (3.11.1857) observed: The 'Olga-Polka' is a most delightful, fragrant musical bouquet, full of fine, gracious rhythms.
[excerpted from NAXOS Records]
Kemp, Peter. Program Notes - About this Recording. NAXOS, 1993, www.naxos.com/mainsite/blurbs_reviews.asp?item_code=8.223232&catNum=223232&filetype=About%20.......... Accessed 5 June 2020.

Resources:

• Visit sites.google.com/view/aaronmeier for more information regarding this arrangement and other works.
• Find a full midi recording of this arrangement on YouTub.

SKU: A0.1287713

Carl Heinrich Hübler was born in Wachwitz, near Dresden on 4th December 1822 and was the horn player in the Dresden Royal Court orchestra from 1844 until his retirement in 1891.
This Caprice on the theme from Bellini's Souvenir de la Sonnambule is a delightful addition to the repertoire that deserves to be performed much more often and demonstrates Hübler's knowledge of orchestration as well as an intimate connection to the solo instrument.
He also wrote a Concerto for Four Horns after being inspired by hearing Schumann's Koncertstück for Four Horns in a private performance which Schumann attended. There is also a Horn Concerto.

As usual with my work, print the parts double-sided as presented and the page turns will work.

SKU: A0.1250907

This arrangement is a full symphonic 'filmic' transcription of this iconic modern classic song sung by Ewan MacGregor and the cast of the movie soundtrack uncut. 

There are some optional instruments (2nd guitar, 2nd keyboard, even SATB choir) but there is a feature guitar and violin solo part. 

In it’s fullest form this orchestration is very colourful and dramatic, but conductors and concert organisers would be able to omit some additional instruments to taste to fit their specific orchestral line-up needs without degrading the high impact of the song and this orchestrated version.

With clear, concise typeset parts [with page turns all properly formatted for practical use by the individual players] this chart would make a stunning dramatic feature item in any concert with orchestra and soloist(s).   

Suitable for professional or advanced inetrmediate orchestras

The instrumentation comprises:

2 Flutes
Piccolo
Oboe 
Cor Anglais
2 Clarinets
Bass Clarinet
2 Bassoons

4 French Horns
3 Trumpets
3 Trombones
Tuba

Timpani
2 Percussion [Cymbals/Bass Drum]
Harp
Piano (keyboard 1)
Keyboard 2 [Optional]
2 Acoustic guitars [2nd Optional]
Bass Guitar
Drum Kit

2 Soloists
SATB Chorus  [Optional]

Strings

You might also be interested in my orchestration of Come What May:
https://www.sheetmusicplus.com/title/come-what-may-digital-sheet-music/22530128.

SKU: A0.1493113

A most interesting and colourful overture from an interesting and colourful composer! I have never heard this work performed - rather unjustly as it is full of Tchaikovsky's typical style and verve. It has suitable challenges for all players which should prove worth while.

Please print the parts double-sided including title pages where added and the page turns will work where possible.

SKU: A0.1142113

Finnish composer Jean Sibelius composed Valse Triste in 1903 as part of a set of works serving as incidental music for the play Kuolema. It remains one of Sibelius’ most popular works and has been adapted for many types of ensembles and works for numerous instruments. This edition is based entirely on the original 1904 edition for orchestra, edited to meet 21st century publication standards. As with all Zephyrwindmusic publications, parts come with an Unlimited Copy License, thus removing any copyright issues in the way parts are used. Parts can be used in analog form – printed on paper – or uploaded as a digital part onto a reading device such as an iPad for performance. Parts can also be legally uploaded onto a website for players to download.

SKU: A0.742695

Beginning with a simple to play, yet bold sounding brass fanfare, this orchestral driven piece is a great opener to a service. Based around a snare drum type cadence, this arrangement features the brass at the beginning and end and slows down in the middle a little to feature the woodwinds. Plenty of energy in this piece makes this a ‘go to’ piece when wanting to feature the orchestra.

This arrangement is in the Key of F and changes keys to C.
As true to the entire series, this arrangement features playable, easy to read rhythms for all sections.
The 8 Core Orchestra is a full orchestra series designed to work with a core group of 8 players plus piano/rhythm.

8 Core instrumentation:
2 woodwinds, 2 trumpets, 1 horn, 2 trombones and 1 bass trombone or tuba

Full instrumentation:
2 flutes, oboe, 2 clarinets, bassoon/bass clarinet, 3 trumpets, 2 horns, 2 trombones, 1 bass trombone/tuba, 2 violins, viola, cello, double bass, harp, percussion (2 players), timpani, piano, electric bass, guitar(s) and drums (guitar and drums read from rhythm chart)