My Hero
Oscar Straus (arr. Harry L Alford)
General Info
Year: 1908 / 1936
Duration: c. 3:50
Difficulty: (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Ludwin Doblinger
Cost: Score and Parts – Out of print
For availability information, see Discussion tab above.
Instrumentation
Condensed Score
C Piccolo
D-flat Piccolo
Flute
Oboe
Bassoon I-II
E-flat Soprano Clarinet
B-flat Soprano Clarinet I-II-III-IV
E-flat Alto Clarinet
B-flat Bass Clarinet
B-flat Soprano Saxophone
E-flat Alto Saxophone I-II
B-flat Tenor Saxophone
E-flat Baritone Saxophone
B-flat Bass Saxophone
B-flat Cornet I-II-III-IV
B-flat Trumpet I-II
E-flat Horn or Alto I-II-III-IV
Horn in F I-II-III-IV
Trombone I-II-III
Euphonium
Tuba
String Bass
Harp
Timpani
Percussion, including:
- Bass Drum
- Crash Cymbals
- Gong
- Snare Drum
- Vibraphone
- Xylophone
Errata
None discovered thus far.
Program Notes
The Chocolate Soldier (German title: Der tapfere Soldat or Der Praliné-Soldat) is an operetta composed in 1908 by Oscar Straus (1870–1954) based on George Bernard Shaw's 1894 play, Arms and the Man.
- Program Note from Wikipedia
In an aria from Act I, Nadina idolizes the heroism of her fiancé, the self-opinionated Major Alexis Spiridoff. However, her illusions are later shattered upon learning from Lieutenant Bumerli – The "chocolate solder" of the title, so-called because of his passion for chocolate drops – That Alexius had never intended to lead the brilliant cavalry charge for which he is famed: his horse actually bolted with him, and his troops dutifully followed!
- Program Note from liner notes of Chandos CD Treasures of Operetta
Harry Alford is reported to have arranged this work for the pioneering University of Illinois band director A.A. Harding.
- Program Note by Bruce Nieuwenhuis
Media
State Ratings
None discovered thus far.
Performances
To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project
- Flint (Mich.) Concert Band (Bruce Nieuwenhuis, conductor) – 6 May 2016
- Allentown Band (Unkown Conductor)
Works for Winds by This Composer
- Home from the War
- My Hero (arr. Alford) (1908/1936)
- Selections from ''The Chocolate Soldier"
- Waltz Dream, A
- Wiener Type (arr. Matthey) (1895)
Resources
- The Chocolate Soldier, Wikipedia Accessed 15 May 2016
- Heritage Encyclopedia of Band Music. "Oscar Straus." Accessed 15 May 2016.
- Straus, O.; Alford, H. (1908). My Hero [score]. Ludwin Doblinger (Bernhard Herzmansky): Leipzig .
- Treasures of Operetta