15003 – Miniature Overture from The Nutcracker

P.I. Tchaikowsky (1840-1893)

Arranged for 10 trumpets and optional percussion by Roger Harvey

Difficulty: Hard

Price: £27.50

Programme notes:

The Nutcracker ballet, written in 1892, was the last of Tchaikowsky’s 3 great dance pieces for the theatre. Although it is considered the least significant score it contains some of his most popular music. It is delightfully tuneful and colourfully orchestrated. The ballet itself was not initially successful but the Suite that Tchaikowsky soon made was received well.

This overture is the opening item of the suite and as it contains no bass instruments in the original orchestration, lends itself well to transcription for trumpet choir.

Performance notes:

The percussion parts are optional but preferable.

Miniature Overture: Play very lightly and with pointed rhythm. Try to ensure that in all dynamics the articulation is precise but at not all aggressive. Be particularly careful when playing in the upper register that the volume is under control and does not become forced.