Benjamin Britten :: Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra, op.34 (Variations and Fugue on a Theme of Purcell)


 

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Britten, Benjamin
1913-1976
(b Lowestoft, 22 Nov 1913; d Aldeburgh, 4 Dec 1976). English
Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra, op.34 (Variations and
Fugue on a Theme of Purcell) <1946>
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5 percussionists can cover all the notes; composer-authorized omissions make performance possible with 4 percussionists. Curiously, the published score specifies "at least 3" percussionists (apparently a temporary or emergency solution involving discretionary omissions).
Theme: Allegro maestoso e largamente
Variation A (flutes and piccolo): Presto
Variation B (oboes): Lento
Variation C (clarinets): Moderato
Variation D (bassoons): Allegro alla marcia
Variation E (violins): Brillante - Alla polacca
Variation F (violas): Meno mosso
Variation G (cellos): [L'istesso tempo]
Variation H (basses): Comminciando lento ma poco a poco
accelerando al Allegro
Variation I (harp): Maestoso
Variation J (horns): L'istesso tempo
Variation K (trumpets): Vivace
Variation L (trombones): Allegro pomposo
Variation M (percussion): Moderato
Fugue: Allegro molto
















Instruments introduced via the variations; a climactic fugue ensues.