Salome's Dance

From Wind Repertory Project
Richard Strauss

Richard Strauss (trans. Mark Hindsley)


This work is also known as The Dance of the Seven Veils.


General Info

Year: 1907 / [196-?]
Duration: c. 9:10
Difficulty: VI (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Hindsley Transcriptions, through C.L. Barnhouse
Cost: Score and Parts (print) - $86.00   |   Score Only (print) - $24.00   |   Oversize Score Only (print) - $35.00


Instrumentation

Full Score
C Piccolo
Flute I-II
Oboe I-II
English Horn
Bassoon I-II
Contrabassoon
B-flat Soprano Clarinet I-II-III
B-flat Bass Clarinet
B-flat Contrabass Clarinet
E-flat Alto Saxophone I-II
B-flat Tenor Saxophone
E-flat Baritone Saxophone
Cornet I-II-III
B-flat Trumpet I-II
Horn in F I-II-III-IV
Trombone I-II-III
Euphonium
Tuba
Celeste
Harp I-II
Timpani
Percussion, including:

  • Bass Drum
  • Bells
  • Castanets
  • Crash Cymbals
  • Gong
  • Snare Drum
  • Tambourine
  • Triangle
  • Xylophone


Errata

  • Snare Drum, 6 m. before reh. 3: These notes should be played as flams (as notated in the score).


Program Notes

Richard Strauss’ opera Salome is based on the story of Salome in the Bible. It premiered in Paris in May 1907 to great acclaim. The opera, however did create some controversy with its erotic overtones. One critic called it “moral stench.” It was banished by the Archbishop of Vienna, and was not performed there until 1918.

The Dance of the Seven Veils is generally regarded as among the most erotic music ever written. Salome is the daughter of Herodias, daughter of King Herod. The lustful Herod wants Salome to dance, but Herodias forbids it. Herodias begs her not to dance but she ignores her mother and agrees. At the end of the dance, she throws herself at Herod’s feet. The dance is the prelude to the climax, when Herod promises to give Salome whatever she wishes. She asks for the head of John the Baptist; Herod at first offers her half his kingdom instead, but she persists, and Herod relents, executing John the Baptist.

- Program Note from Heritage Encyclopedia of Band Music


Media


State Ratings

  • Florida: VI
  • Georgia: VI
  • South Carolina: VI
  • Tennessee: VI
  • Virginia: VI


Performances

To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project

  • United States Army Band (Ft. Myer, Va.) (Timothy J. Holtan, conductor) – 2 April 2016


Works for Winds by This Composer


Resources