Morceaux de fantaisie

From Wind Repertory Project
Sergei Rachmaninoff

Sergei Rachmaninoff (arr. Ian Deterling)


Subtitle: The Bells of Moscow (Prelude in C# Minor)


General Info

Year:1892 / 2020
Duration: c. 4:10
Difficulty: III-1/2 (see Ratings for explanation)
Original Medium: Piano
Publisher: Deterling Music
Cost: Score and Parts (print) - $65.00; (digital) - $65.00   |   Score Only (print) - $5.00


Instrumentation

Full Score
Part 1

  • Flute
  • Oboe
  • B-flat Soprano Clarinet
  • B-flat Trumpet
  • Violin

Part 2

  • B-flat Soprano Clarinet
  • E-flat Alto Saxophone
  • B-flat Trumpet
  • Violin

Part 3

  • B-flat Soprano Clarinet
  • E-flat Alto Saxophone
  • B-flat Tenor Saxophone
  • Horn in F
  • Viola

Part 4

  • Bassoon
  • B-flat Tenor Saxophone
  • Horn in F
  • Trombone
  • Euphonium
  • Cello

Part 5

  • Bassoon
  • B-flat Bass Clarinet
  • E-flat Baritone Saxophone
  • Trombone
  • Euphonium
  • Tuba
  • String Bass
  • Cello

Timpani
Percussion I-II-III, including:

  • Bass Drum
  • Bells
  • Chimes
  • Crash Cymbals
  • Snare Drum
  • Suspended Cymbal
  • Tambourine
  • Tam-tam (or Gong)


Errata

None discovered thus far.


Program Notes

Sergei Rachmaninoff's Prelude in C-sharp minor, Op. 3, No. 2, is one of the composer's most famous compositions. Part of a set of five piano pieces titled Morceaux de fantaisie, it is a 62-bar prelude in ternary (ABA) form. It is also known as The Bells of Moscow since the introduction seems to reproduce the Kremlin's most solemn carillon chimes.

Its first performance was by the composer on 26 September 1892, at a festival called the Moscow Electrical Exhibition. After this première, a review of the concert singled out the Prelude, noting that it had “aroused enthusiasm”. From this point on, its popularity grew. Rachmaninoff later published 23 more preludes to complete a set of 24 preludes covering all the major and minor keys, to emulate earlier sets by Bach, Chopin, Alkan, Scriabin and others.

- Program Note from Wikipedia


One of Rachmaninoff's best-known works, Prelude in C# Minor (also known as The Bells of Moscow) is one in a set of five piano pieces entitled Morceaux de fantaisie. This adaptation is arranged into five parts plus percussion (up to nine percussionists).

Although this is the C# Minor Prelude, it has been transposed to the key of D Minor to make it easier on the musicians.

- Program Note by arranger


Media


State Ratings

None discovered thus far.


Performances

To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project

  • University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee University Concert Band (Matthew Dutczak, conductor) - 3 May 2021


Works for Winds by This Composer

Adaptable Music


All Wind Works


Resources