Belle of the Ball

From Wind Repertory Project
Leroy Anderson

Leroy Anderson


General Info

Year: 1951
Duration: 3:00
Difficulty: III (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Belwin Mills/Kalmus
Cost: Score and Parts (print) - $60.00   |   Score Only (print) - $5.00


Instrumentation

Full Score
C Piccolo
Flute
Oboe
Bassoon
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
Horn in F I-II-III-IV
Trombone I-II-III
Euphonium
Tuba
String Bass
Percussion (4 players), including:

  • Bass Drum
  • Bells
  • Crash Cymbals
  • Snare Drum


Errata

None discovered thus far.


Program Notes

The year 1951 was a fairly productive one for Leroy Anderson, yielding a number of popular works that included Plink, Plank, Plunk!, The Phantom Regiment, Blue Tango, China Doll, the song version of Sleigh Ride, and this delightful piece, Belle of the Ball. Like most of the composer's efforts, it is light, effervescent, and devoid of conflict or disharmony. Anderson looked upon the piece as a modern-day American revival -- or revitalization -- of the Viennese waltz tradition. Having said that, the main theme sounds rather unlike a Strauss waltz, but the voice of Tchaikovsky is evident in its playful, fantasy-like character. The melody is rhythmic and comes in short groups of notes, beginning with two notes, then three, then expanding further; the music skates along elegantly. The middle section features a delightful variation on the theme, in which Anderson's gentle belled sonorities impart a playful innocence.

- Program Note by Robert Cummings


Media


State Ratings

None discovered thus far.


Performances

To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project

  • The Boynton Beach (Fla.) Gold Coast Band (Barbara Rubenstein, conductor) - 22 October 2023
  • La Crosse (Wisc.) Wind Symphony (Jack C. Krauklis, conductor ) - 23 April 2023
  • Karl L. King Municipal Band (Fort Dodge, Iowa) (Jerrold P. Jimmerson, conductor) - 10 July 2022
  • Cottonwood Community Band (Sedona, Ariz.) (Sy Brandon, conductor) – 17 March 2019
  • Stuart (Fla.) Community Concert Band (Jim LeBon, conductor) - 10 February 2019
  • Peninsula Symphonic Band (Palo Alto, Calif.) (Ted Henderson, conductor) - 20 May 2018
  • Oak Ridge (Tenn.) Community Band/Wind Ensemble (Dale Pendley, conductor) - 15 April 2018
  • Virginia (Alexandria) Grand Military Band (Loras John Schissel, conductor) – 16 September 2017
  • State College (Penn.) Area Municipal Band (Ned C. Deihl, conductor) – 12 February 2017
  • Virginia Grand Military Band (Alexandria) (Loras John Schissel, conductor) – 4 February 2017
  • Atascadero Community Band (Jennifer Martin, conductor) - 2 November 2013
  • Band of Long Island (Michael Flamhaft, conductor) - 2013


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


Resources