Fanfares (Smetana)
Bedřich Smetana (arr. Vaclav Nelhybel)
|
This article is a stub. If you can help add information to it,
please join the WRP and visit the FAQ (left sidebar) for information. |
Subtitle: From the Opera Libuše
General Info
Year: 1872 / 1976
Duration: c. 3:40
Difficulty: III (see Ratings for explanation)
Original Medium: Orchestra
Publisher: Alfred Music Publishing
Cost: Score and Parts - $40.00
For availability information, see Discussion tab, above.
Instrumentation
Full Score
Piccolo & Flute
Oboe
Bassoon
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
B-flat Trumpet I-II-III
Horn in F I-II-III-IV
Trombone I-II-III
Euphonium
Tuba
Timpani
Percussion
(percussion detail desired)
Errata
None discovered thus far.
Program Notes
Bedřich Smetana’s opera Libuše was written between the years 1869 and 1872. The Czech composer referred to it in a letter as “not a normal repertory opera. It is my wish to reserve it for special occasions of national celebrations.” The opera was not premiered until nine years after its completion, when it was performed to mark the 1881 opening of the National Theater in Prague, which was itself considered a Czech triumph – a much-desired victory as Czech nationalism strengthened within the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Smetana’s health had been deteriorating from syphilis in the decade prior, and he was rendered totally deaf 1874. Although he was present at the premier performance, he was unable to hear a note of his opera.
This arrangement for wind ensemble was completed by Czech-American composer Václav Nelhýbel in 1974, and was one of over 400 of his pieces that were published during his lifetime. It is an abridged version of the overture from Libuše, and connects Romantic era writing to modern instrumentation and scoring.
- Program Note by Jimmy McKenzie for the Appalachian State University Symphony Band concert program, 4 December 2022
Media
None discovered thus far.
State Ratings
None discovered thus far.
Performances
To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project
- Appalachian State University (Boone, N.C.) Symphony Band (John Stanley Ross, conductor) - 4 December 2022
- University of North Carolina (Chapel Hill) Wind Ensemble (Evan Feldman, conductor) – 17 November 2014
Works for Winds by This Composer
Adaptable Music
- Vltava (Flex instrumentation) (arr. Ehara) (1874/2014)
All Wind Works
- Fanfares (arr. Nelhybel) (1872/1976)
- High Castle, The
- The Moldau (arr. Cacavas, rev. Rogers) (1874/1999)
- Overture to "Libusse"
- Overture to "The Bartered Bride" (arr. Bělohoubek) (1866)
- Overture to "The Bartered Bride" (tr. Patterson) (1866)
- Polka (arr. Parks) (1866/2008)
- Three Revolutionary Marches (arr. Nelhybel) (1848/1969)
- Vltava (Flex instrumentation) (arr. Ehara) (1874/2014)
- Wallenstein's Camp
Resources
- Smetana, B.; Nelhybel, V. [1976]. Fanfares from the Opera Libuše [score]. Christopher Music Co.: Valley Forge, Penn.