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Fireworks, Op 4
Igor Stravinsky (trans. R Mark Rogers)
General Info
Year: 1908 / 1995
Duration: c. 4:00
Difficulty: VI (see Ratings for explanation)
Original Medium: Orchestra
Publisher: Southern Music
Cost: Score and Parts - $130.00 | Score Only - $15.00
Instrumentation
Full Score
C Piccolo/Flute III
Flute I-II
Oboe I-II
English Horn
Bassoon I-II
E-flat Soprano Clarinet
B-flat Soprano Clarinet I-II-III
E-flat Alto Clarinet
B-flat Bass Clarinet
E-flat Contra Alto Clarinet
B-flat Contrabass Clarinet
B-flat Soprano Saxophone
E-flat Alto Saxophone
B-flat Tenor Saxophone
E-flat Baritone Saxophone
B-flat Cornet I-II-III
B-flat Trumpet I-II-III
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
Celeste
Timpani
Percussion, including:
- Bass Drum
- Crash Cymbals
- Triangle
Errata
None discovered thus far.
Program Notes
Many musicologists regard Igor Stravinsky as one of the most dynamic, innovative and influential composers of the 20th century. He is best known for his trio of ballets written for the Ballets Russes -- The Firebird (1910), Petrushka (1911) and The Rite of Spring (1913) -- all of which drastically expanded the harmonic and rhythmic palette available to composers.
However, Stravinsky may never have gotten the opportunity to write for the Ballets Russes if not for his earlier composition, Fireworks. Fireworks is a short, brilliant orchestral showpiece originally scored for large orchestra. It was composed in 1908 as a wedding present for Nadezhda Rimsky-Korsakov, daughter of famous Russian composer Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov, who was an important mentor to Stravinsky.
Fireworks was the young composer's first experience in the handling of a large orchestra (full winds and brass, fairly large percussion, celesta and harp in addition to a string section). Despite being less than four minutes in duration, Fireworks has an importance altogether beyond its intrinsic merits; it is thr work which, at its premiere in 1909, drew Diaghilev's attention to Stravinsky and led to the collaboration which produced such masterpieces as The Firebird, Petrouchka, and The Rite of Spring.
While the initial audience reaction to the piece was mixed, it nonetheless made a great impression on Serge Diaghilev, choreographer of the newly created Ballets Russes dance company. Diaghilev was looking for a composer to write an original, modern ballet for the company to perform on its upcoming inaugural season in Paris. Once Diaghilev heard Fireworks, he was instantly convinced that Stravinsky was the man for the job.
This transcription was completed in 1995 by R. Mark Rogers.
- Program note by David Balandrin and Ricky Parrell
Media
State Ratings
None discovered thus far.
Performances
To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project
- Michigan State University (East Lansing) Wind Symphony (Brian Taylor, conductor) – 6 February 2020
- University of Georgia (Athens) Hodgson Wind Ensemble (Emily Mariko Eng, conductor) – 14 February 2019
- California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, Wind Ensemble (Christopher J. Woodruff, conductor) – 3 March 2018
- Lopez High School (Brownsville, Tx.) Symphonic Band (George Trevino, conductor) - 10 February 2017 (2017 TMEA Conference, San Antonio)
- The Ohio State University (Columbus) Wind Symphony (Russel C. Mikkelson, conductor) – 29 November 2016
- United States Air Force Band (Washington, D.C.) (Larry H. Lang, conductor – 19 December 2012 (2012 Midwest Clinic)
- University of North Carolina at Greensboro Wind Ensemble (John R. Locke, conductor) – 27 March 2009 (CBDNA 2009 National Conference, Austin, Tx.)
Works for Winds by This Composer
- Berceuse and Finale from "The Firebird" (arr. Longfield) (1910/1998)
- Berceuse and Finale from "The Firebird" (arr. Goldman) (1910/1941)
- Berceuse and Finale from "The Firebird" (arr. McAlister and Reed) (1910/1989)
- Circus Polka (orch. Raksin) (1942/1948)
- Concertino for 12 Instruments (1920/1952)
- Concerto for Piano and Wind Instruments (1950)
- Ebony Concerto (1946)
- Elegy for JFK (1964)
- Excerpts from "The Rite of Spring" (arr. Buckley) (1913/2015)
- Fanfare for a New Theater (1968)
- Finale from "The Firebird" (arr. Story) (1910/2014)
- The Firebird: Finale (arr. Hanna) (1910/2023)
- The Firebird (trans. Patterson) (1910)
- Firebird Excerpts (arr. Bocook) (1910/1995)
- The Firebird Suite (tr. Earles, ed. Fennell) (1910/1998)
- Fireworks, Op 4 (trans. Rogers) (1908)
- Funeral Song (1908)
- L'Histoire du Soldat (1918)
- Mass for Mixed Chorus and Double Wind Quintet (1948)
- Octuor (1923)
- Pastorale (1907/1933)
- The Rite of Spring (tr. Patterson) (1913/1947)
- The Rite of Spring (arr. Sánchez) (1913)
- The Rite of Spring (arr. Vosbein) (1913/2011)
- Scherzo à la russe (arr. Marciniak) (1944/1977)
- Song of the Volga Boatmen (ed. Simpson) (1917/1989)
- Suite from "The Firebird" (trans. Nefs) (1919/2013)
- Suite from "The Firebird" (trans. Knox) (1919)
- Suite No 2 for Wind Ensemble or Small Concert Band (tr. McAlister and Binney) (1921/1988)
- Symphonies of Wind Instruments (1920, rev. 1947)
- Symphony of Psalms (1930/1948)
Resources
- Stravinsky, I.; Rogers, R (1995). Fireworks : Fantasy, op. 4 [score]. Southern Music: San Antonio, Tx.