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Selections from "Swan Lake", Op. 160, No. 1 (1876/2024)

For Clarinet Choir and Optional Percussion

Score Video:

Perusal Score:

Duration: 8'15"

  1. I. Danse Hongroise. Czardas.
  2. II. Mazurka
  3. III. Danse Espagnole

Instrumentation:

  • Eb Clarinet
  • Bb Clarinet 1
  • Bb Clarinet 2
  • Bb Clarinet 3
  • Bb Clarinet 4
  • Bb Clarinet 5
  • Bb Clarinet 6
  • Alto Clarinet 1
  • Alto Clarinet 2
  • Bass Clarinet 1
  • Bass Clarinet 2
  • Contra-alto Clarinet
  • Contrabass Clarinet
  • Percussion 1: Triangle, Tambourine (optional)
  • Percussion 2: Bass Drum/Crash Cymbals, Castanets (optional)

Program Notes:

Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake was initially a failure. It was commissioned by Vladimir Petrovich Begichev, director of the Moscow Imperial Theatre in 1875. Telling the story of a princess turned into a swan by an evil sorcerer, the ballet was premiered in 1877 at the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow. The music was considered too complicated and symphonic for ballet, but the production was performed 41 times over six years. At his death, Tchaikovsky was involved in talks to revive Swan Lake. Official mourning for the death of Tsar Alexander III allowed for pre-production of a revival (since all ballet performances were halted). Riccardo Drigo made significant revisions to the score (with the permission of Tchaikovsky's brother Modest), and it is this version that many ballet companies still use today.

These three dances appear in both versions and are part of a Grand Divertissement near the end of Tchaikovsky's Act III (Drigo's Act II), taking place at a palace ball.

This transcription was prepared for Ran Kampel and the Baylor Clarinet Choir for performance in the 2024-2025 academic year.

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