Nutcracker Suite (arr Curnow)

From Wind Repertory Project
Peter I Tchaikovsky

Peter I Tchaikovsky (arr. James Curnow)


General Info

Year: 1891 / 1987
Duration: c. 9:40
Difficulty: IV (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Hal Leonard
Cost: Score and Parts - $70.00   |   Score Only - $9.00


Movements

1. Miniature Overture
2. March
3. Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy
4. Russian Dance
5. Arabian Dance
6. Chinese Dance
7. Dance of the Reed Pipes
8. Waltz of the Flowers


Instrumentation

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

  • Bass Drum
  • Bells
  • Crash Cymbals
  • Snare Drum
  • Suspended Cymbal
  • Tambourine
  • Triangle
  • Xylophone


Errata

None discovered thus far.


Program Notes

Tchaikovsky wrote the music for the Nutcracker ballet (Casse Noisette) in 1891 and arranged eight numbers from it to form a concert suite. Written for the Russian Imperial Ballet, it was first performed in 1892. It is based on the Hoffman fairy tale of the little girl, who, having indulged herself with Christmas goodies, dreams on Christmas night that she again sees the tree lighted in all its splendor, while all the toys and dolls have come to life and are holding a fairy revel led by Nutcracker, the Prince of Fairyland.

This arrangement contains Overture, Arabian Dance 'Coffee', Chinese Dance 'Tea', Dance Of The Reed Flutes, Dance Of The Sugar Plum Fairy, March From The Nutcracker, Russian Dance 'Trepak', and Waltz Of The Flowers.

- Program Note from Heritage Encyclopedia of Band Music


The Nutcracker is a two-act ballet, originally choreographed by Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov with a score by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (op. 71). It was given its première at the Mariinsky Theatre in Saint Petersburg on Sunday, December 18, 1892.

Although the original production was not a success, the 20-minute suite that Tchaikovsky extracted from the ballet was. However, the complete Nutcracker has enjoyed enormous popularity since the late 1960s, and is now performed by countless ballet companies, primarily during the Christmas season, especially in North America. Tchaikovsky's score has become one of his most famous compositions, in particular the pieces featured in the suite.

- Program Note from Wikipedia


Media

(Needed - please join the WRP if you can help.)


State Ratings

None discovered thus far.


Performances

To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project

  • Weeki Wachee Winds Community Concert Band (Spring Hill, Fla.) (Mark Hengish, conductor) - 2 December 2023
  • Contra Costa Wind Symphony (Walnut Creek, Calif.) (Brad Hogarth, conductor) - 5 December 2021
  • Arkansas Winds (Farmington) (Michael Ferguson, conductor) -15 December 2019
  • Oak Ridge (Tenn.) Community Band (Shaun Salem, conductor) – 9 December 2018
  • Contra Costa Wind Symphony (Walnut Creek, Calif.) (Brad Hogarth, conductor) – 12 December 2016
  • Parkland College (Champaign, Ill.) Wind Ensemble (Larry Stoner, conductor) - 10 December 2015
  • Lone Star Symphonic Band (Kay, Tex.) (Bob Bryant, conductor) - 14 December 2014
  • South Dakota School of Mines and Technology (Rapid City) Symphonic Band - 8 December 2014


Works for Winds by This Composer

Adaptable Music


All Wind Works


Resources