Tritsch-Tratsch Polka

From Wind Repertory Project
Johann Strauss Jr

Johann Strauss Jr (arr. Alfred Reed)


General Info

Year: 1858 / 1998
Duration: c. 2:40
Difficulty: III (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: C L Barnhouse Company
Cost: Score and Parts - $65.00   |   Score Only - $5.00


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
B-flat Contrabass Clarinet
E-flat Alto Saxophone I-II
B-flat Tenor Saxophone
E-flat Baritone Saxophone
B-flat Cornet I-II
B-flat Trumpet I-II-III
Horn in F I-II-III-IV
Trombone I-II-III
Euphonium
Tuba
String Bass
Timpani
Percussion, including:

  • Bass Drum
  • Bells
  • Snare Drum
  • Xylophone


Errata

None discovered thus far.


Program Notes

Alfred Reed's bright and lively arrangement of this famous Strauss classic is the perfect encore piece! Totally audience friendly, it also gives the director a chance to expose their students to the "popular" music of another culture and time. A great change of pace for any concert or rehearsal, it's a winner from the first note to the last! Absolutely perfect for adult community band concerts!

- Program note by publisher


As Sousa wrote in many other forms than the march, so Johann Strauss, Jr. composed many works that were not waltzes. Tritsch-Tratsch is a polka. It has an opus number of 214 and was composed after Strauss spent a summer in St. Petersburg, the capital of Russia. “Tritsch-tratsch” is best translated as “chit chat.” Perhaps Strauss was giving a gentle hint to all the audience members who talked through his concerts.

- Notes by John Fleming for the Allegheny College Band Camp for Adult Musicians


Tritsch-Tratsch Polka is a polka written by Johann Strauss II in 1858 after a successful tour of Russia where he performed in the summer concert season at Pavlovsk, Saint Petersburg. The title may be interpreted as “chit-chat” and may refer to the Viennese passion for gossip. Strauss may also have been referencing the single act burlesque Der Tritsch-tratsch which premiered in 1833 and was still in the stage repertoire when the polka was written. Many point out that the title may also have meant his first wife’s poodle, also named Tritsch-tratsch, but this etymology remains unsubstantiated as well. The mood of the piece is jaunty and high-spirited, as were many of Strauss’ polkas.

- Program Note by the Buchholz High School Wind Symphony concert program, 17 December 2014


Media


State Ratings

None discovered thus far.


Performances

To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project


Works for Winds by This Composer

Adaptable Music


All Wind Works


Resources

  • Strauss, J.; Reed, A. (1998). Tritsch-Tratsch Polka = Chit-Chat Polka: Op. 214 [score]. C.L. Barnhouse: Oskaloosa, Iowa.