Serenata

Leroy Anderson

Leroy Anderson (arranged by the composer)

General Info

Year: 1947 / 1949
Duration: c. 3:55
Difficulty: III (see Ratings for explanation)
Original Medium: Orchestra
Publisher: Masters Music
Cost: Score and Parts - Out of print.

For availability information, see Discussion tab, above.

Instrumentation

Full Score
C Piccolo
D-flat Piccolo
Flute I-II
Oboe
Bassoon I-II
E-flat Soprano Clarinet
B-flat Soprano Clarinet I-II-III
E-flat Alto Clarinet
B-flat Bass Clarinet
E-flat Alto Saxophone I-II
B-flat Tenor Saxophone
E-flat Baritone Saxophone
B-flat Cornet I-II-III
B-flat Trumpet I
Horn in F I-II-III-IV
Trombone I-II-III
Euphonium
Tuba
Percussion (3 players), including:

• Claves
• Gong
• Guiro
• Maracas
• Temple Blocks (2)

Errata

None discovered thus far.

Program Notes

Serenata begins with the theme in minor accompanied by a Latin American rhythm and then changes to a bright mood in a major key. Just when we are carried away by the soaring melody and repetitive rhythm, Anderson makes use of a strategically placed pause to recapture our attention. The composer's skill in arranging his original orchestrations for band is shown in every phrase of Serenata.

- Program Note from Program Notes for Band

Serenata, originally composed for orchestra, was premiered on February 12, 1947, by the Boston Pops. Leroy Anderson would adapt the work for wind band two years later. When discussing his compositional process, Anderson stated, “In the case of Serenata, I began with the flowing melody you hear as the main section. Then, since this main part was in a major key with a very broad melody, the music seemed to call for something to introduce it in a minor key, so I wrote the first section with fast repeated notes. When the whole thing was put together with a beguine rhythm as a background, it seemed to me to sound like a Latin-American serenade, so I added the Spanish title, Serenata.

- Program Note by Emmanuel Rodriguez for the Louisiana State University Symphonic Band concert program, 23 November 2021

Media

• Audio CD: United States Air Force Band of the Golden West (Philip C. Chevallard, conductor) - 2008

State Ratings

None discovered thus far.

Performances

To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project

• Louisiana State University (Baton Rouge) Symphonic Band (Cliff Croomes, conductor) - 23 November 2021
• Stony Brook (N.Y.) University Wind Ensemble (Bruce Engel, conductor) - 17 November 2021
• Atascadero (Calif.) Community Band (Keith Waibel, conductor) – 28 February 2016
• Golden Gate Park (San Francisco, Calif.) Band (Michael L. Wirgler, conductor) - 20 July 2014
• San Luis Obispo (Calif.) Wind Orchestra (Randy Brion, conductor) - 28 January 2006
• High School Concert Band [Interlochen, Mich.] (Frederick Fennell, conductor) - 31 July 1987

Works for Winds by This Composer

Adaptable Music

• Sleigh Ride (Flex instrumentation) (arr. Fernie) (1948/)
• Sleigh Ride (Flex instrumentation) (arr. Torskangerpoll) (1948/2020)

All Wind Works

• Belle of the Ball (1951)
• Blue Tango (1951)
• Blue Tango (arr. Ployhar) (1951/1980)
• The Bluebells of Scotland (1954/1962)
• Bugler's Holiday (arr. Edwards) (1954)
• The Captains and Kings (1962)
• China Doll (1951/1953)
• A Christmas Festival (1950)
• A Christmas Festival (arr. Smith) (1950/2007)
• Clarinet Candy (1962)
• Concerto in C for Piano and Symphonic Wind Orchestra (arr. Murschinski) (1953/2008)
• Fiddle-Faddle (arr. Lang) (1947)
• Forgotten Dreams (1954)
• The Girl I Left Behind Me. See: Irish Suite: The Girl I Left Behind Me
• The Girl in Satin (1953)
• The Golden Years (1962)
• Home Stretch (1962)
• Horse and Buggy (1951)
• Irish Suite: The Girl I Left Behind Me (1949)
• Irish Suite: The Irish Washerwoman (1947)
• Irish Suite: The Last Rose of Summer (arr. Wagner) (1950/2010)
• Irish Suite: The Minstrel Boy (as arranger) (1947/1952/2009)
• Irish Suite: The Rakes of Mallow (1947)
• Irish Suite: The Wearing of the Green (arr. Wagner) (1947/2009)
• Jazz Pizzicato (arr. Lang) (1938)
• The Last Rose of Summer. See: Irish Suite: The Last Rose of Summer
• A Leroy Anderson Portrait (arr. Barnes) (1982/2006)
• Lullaby of the Drums (1970)
• March of the Two Left Feet (orch. Boyd) (1969/2008)
• The Penny Whistle Song (1951)
• The Phantom Regiment (1951)
• Pirate Dance (1962)
• Promenade (arr. Lang) (1945/1948)
• Promenade (arr. Wagner) (1945/2017)
• Pyramid Dance (1960)
• The Rakes of Mallow. See: Irish Suite: The Rakes of Mallow
• Sandpaper Ballet (1954)
• Selections from Leroy Anderson's "Irish Suite" (arr. Wagner) (1947/2011)
• Serenata (1947)
• Sleigh Ride (1948)
• Sleigh Ride (Brass Ensemble) (arr. Fernie) (1948/2010)
• Sleigh Ride (Flex instrumentation) (arr. Fernie) (1948/)
• Sleigh Ride (arr. Mellema) (1948/)
• Sleigh Ride (arr. Ployhar) (1948/1980)
• Sleigh Ride (arr. Schwalgin) (1948/)
• Sleigh Ride (Flex instrumentation) (arr. Torskangerpoll) (1948/2020)
• Sleigh Ride (arr. Warner) (1948/2006)
• Sleigh Ride (ed. Woodfield) (1948/)
• Song of Jupiter (as arranger) (1952)
• Song of the Bells (1953)
• Suite of Carols for Brass (1955)
• Suite of Carols for Woodwinds (1955)
• Summer Skies (1953)
• The Syncopated Clock (1945)
• The Syncopated Clock (arr. Lang) (1946/1948)
• The Syncopated Clock (arr. Schubert) (1946/1997)
• Ticonderoga March (ed. Boyd) (1939)
• A Trumpeter's Lullaby (arr. Lang) (1950/1978)
• The Typewriter (arr. Heide) (1950/)
• The Typewriter (arr. Werle) (1950)
• The Waltzing Cat (arr. Lang) (1950)
• The Wearing of the Green. See: Irish Suite: The Wearing of the Green

Resources

• Anderson, L. (1949). Serenata [score]. Mills Music: New York.
• Leroy Anderson website Accessed 14 May 2021
• Smith, Norman E. (2002). Program Notes for Band. Chicago: GIA Publications, pp. 16.