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Terpsichorean Dances
This work has been identified for inclusion in the Small Band Repertoire Initiative. You may find discussion of the work's challenges and merits under the Discussion tab above. You may also contribute your own thoughts and recommendations by joining the WRP.
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Contents
General Info
Year: 2009
Duration: c. 7:15
Difficulty: III (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Manhattan Beach Music
Cost: Score and Parts (print) - $135.00 | Score Only (print) - $25.00
Instrumentation
Full Score
C Piccolo
Flute I-II
Oboe
Bassoon
B-flat Soprano Clarinet I-II-III
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
Trombone I-II
Bass Trombone
Euphonium
Tuba
String Bass
Timpani
Percussion I-II-III-IV-V, including:
- Crash Cymbals
- Djembe
- Frame Drum
- Glockenspiel
- Lagerphone
- Snare Drum
- Tambourine
- Turkish Finger Cymbals
- Wood Block
- Xylophone
Errata
None discovered thus far.
Program Notes
Michael Praetorius (1571-1621), German composer and archivist, was fanatical about recording the details of the many countries he visited, with a focus on the kind of music and musical instruments he encountered. The culmination of this fascination was his three-volume treatise, Syntagma Musicum, a compendium of information on German music, musical instruments, and performance practice.
But much more well-known today is Praetorius’ 1612 collection of 312 dances from the royal courts of France, known as Terpsichore, named for the Greek muse of dance. These dances were not composed by Praetorius; instead, he recorded and harmonized the melodies into three, four, five, and sometimes even six parts in order to avoid their imminent extinction.
In this setting for concert band, three dances from the collection are featured: Springtanz, (Leaping Dance); Der Lautenspieler,( the Lute Player); and Der Schutzenkönig, (the Archer King). To favor Praetorius’s infatuation with different musical instruments, this setting employs a variety of colors, and features the soloist and sections alike. Performers are invited to play in an animated nature to reinforce the strong sense of pulse required in all dance music. And though the lagerphone was unknown to Praetorius, it is equally a joyous jangle.
- Program Note by score
Awards
- First Frank Ticheli Composition Contest, second prize
Commercial Discography
None discovered thus far.
Media
- Audio: Reference recording. Castle Hill RSL North West (Australia) Wind Ensemble (James Brice, conductor)
State Ratings
None discovered thus far.
Performances
To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project
- Illinois State University (Normal) Symphonic Band (Marykate Kuhne, conductor) – 27 February 2020
- University of Northern Colorado (Greeley) Symphonic Band (Wesley J. Broadnax, conductor) – 13 February 2020
- Texas Woman's University (Denton) University Band (Carter Biggers, conductor) – 14 November 2019
- University of Dubuque (Iowa) Wind Ensemble (Nolan Hauta, conductor) - 2 November 2019
- Rouge River Winds (Toronto, Ont. Can) (Pratik Gandhi, conductor) - 13 April 2019
- Grand Street (New York) Community Band (Brian Worsdale, conductor) – 23 March 2019
- University of Louisville Concert Band, (Jason Cumberledge, conductor) - 20 February 2019
- University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire University Band (Devon Lawrence, conductor) – 27 November 2017
- Warren Mott Concert Band - 2014
Works for Winds by this Composer
Adaptable Music
- Earthshine (gr. II) (Flex instrumentation) (2014)
- 13 Moons (Flex instrumentation) (2017)
All Wind Works
- Belah Sun Woman (2014)
- The Blessing of Light (2019)
- Earthshine (Flex instrumentation) (2014)
- Into the Sun (2017)
- Letter from Sado (2014)
- Majesty. See: Salon Morisot
- Peace Dancer (2017)
- Salon Morisot (2019)
- Majesty (2019)
- Devotion (2019)
- Enchantment (2019)
- Soulström (2010/2019)
- Symphony No. I (2019)
- Terpsichorean Dances (2009)
- 13 Moons (Flex instrumentation) (2017)
- Twist (2013)
- Whirlwind (2006)
Resources
- Blackshaw, J. [2010]. Terpsichorean Dances [score]. Manhattan Beach Music: Brooklyn N.Y.
- Heritage Encyclopedia of Band Music. "Terpsichorean Dances." Accessed 22 January 2016.
- Rudgers, Gregory B. Terpsichorean Dances: For Concert Band. MBM Times, Issue 6 (2012), 55.