Selected works by Prokofiev for percussion ensemble

Item details

• Description +

  • Arranged by Thomas Aanonlie
    Duration: 20 min.
    
    In my third published work for EDITION SVITZER I have arranged five pieces from Serge Prokofiev´s piano collection MUSIQUES D ´ENFANTS, Op. 65. 
    
    1.    Promenade (trio) 
    vibraphone and 2 marimbas. 
    
    2.     Tarantelle (sextet) 
    glockenspiel, 2 marimbas, vibraphone, castanets and timpani. 
    
    3.     Cortége de sauterelles (quartet)
    xylophone, vibraphone and 2 marimbas. 
    
    4.     Atrappe qui peut (quintet)
    glockenspiel, xylophone, 2 marimbas and timpani. 
    
    5.     Marche (quartet) 
    glockenspiel, marimba, vibraphone and timpani.

• Instrumentation +

  • Percussion Ensemble:
    
    1.    Promenade (trio) 
    vibraphone and 2 marimbas. 
    
    2.     Tarantelle (sextet) 
    glockenspiel, 2 marimbas, vibraphone, castanets and timpani. 
    
    3.     Cortége de sauterelles (quartet)
    xylophone, vibraphone and 2 marimbas. 
    
    4.     Atrappe qui peut (quintet)
    glockenspiel, xylophone, 2 marimbas and timpani. 
    
    5.     Marche (quartet) 
    glockenspiel, marimba, vibraphone and timpani.

• About the composer +

  • Sergei Sergeyevich Prokofiev (April 1891 – 5 March 1953) was a Russian and Soviet composer, pianist and conductor. As the creator of acknowledged masterpieces across numerous musical genres, he is regarded as one of the major composers of the 20th century. His works include such widely heard works as the March from The Love for Three Oranges, the suite Lieutenant Kijé, the ballet Romeo and Juliet – from which "Dance of the Knights" is taken – and Peter and the Wolf. Of the established forms and genres in which he worked, he created – excluding juvenilia – seven completed operas, seven symphonies, eight ballets, five piano concertos, two violin concertos, a cello concerto, and nine completed piano sonatas.

• Reviews +

  • Percussive Notes, May 2014

    What a fantastic opportunity to introduce students to the music of the great Russian composer Sergei Prokofiev! Composed in 1935, Musiques d‘Enfants, Op. 65 contains 12 charming and playful works for solo piano that were among the first of several compositions, including the beloved “Peter and the Wolf,” written specifically for children.
    
    This collection contains five of those original 12 compositions, including “Promenade,” “Tarantelle,” “Cortege de sauterelles,” “Atrappe qui peut,” and “Marche.” The arrangements vary in number of performers from trio to sextet, allowing the director a great deal of flexibility. The degree of difficulty also varies measurably—the most challenging being two selections in a brisk 6/8 containing interlocking parts and some technical passages. The arrangements are elegantly done with much care taken in addressing inherent percussive elements while preserving the integrity of the original. The presentation is first-rate from top to bottom including the quality of the paper, handsome graphic design, and clarity of the engraving and layout. Because of the brevity of the pieces and the accessibility of the parts, this would work well for high school students or even advanced middle school kids, on certain selections.
    
    These arrangements offer a gateway into the works of Prokofiev that could lead to a greater understanding and appreciation of his larger, more complex works. I could see integrating this into a lesson plan that includes, for example, an introduction to important excerpts found in his orchestral works. Directors that program thematically will find these valuable in terms of having some easier material to pair with other Prokofiev arrangements or complementary works. 
    
    —John Willmarth
    
    
    
    Percussive Notes, November 2016
    
    Percussion ensemble repertoire for smaller groups without access to large amounts of equipment is sorely needed, as well as quality works for less experienced performers. While not original compositions, “Prokofiev: Selected Works for Percussion Ensemble” works well in this regard.  
    
    This collection is a series of re-orchestrations of some of Prokofiev’s short piano works. The instrumentation varies from three to six players for each movement. The “Tarantelle” movement is flexible, as the castanet player is considered optional by the arranger.  
    
    In terms of technique, there are a variety of levels of demand between movements. “Promenade” is the easiest, requiring only two-mallet technique throughout as well as limited rhythmic ability. “Tarantelle” also requires only two-mallet technique, but is more difficult considering some of the timing required, as well as the rhythmic density at times.  
    
    “Cortege de sauterelles” and “Marche” both require four-mallet technique, but this is limited to just some three-note chords. “Attrape qui peut” is the most difficult because of the Vivo tempo indication along with the amount of triplet runs and some brisk roll passages.  
    
    The overall orchestration is solid, and the variety of options between movements in terms of instrumentation make this collection highly marketable for a large number of groups. The fact that this collection can expose younger players to music they might otherwise never run into is an added bonus, making this appropriate for middle school through younger college ensembles as well as college methods courses.  
    
    —Brian Nozny

• Credits +

  • Front Cover graphics and layout: Ronni Kot Wenzell
    Translation: Maria Susanne Svenfelt
    Engraving: Johan Svitzer
    Printed in Copenhagen, Denmark
    Copyright © Edition SVITZER
    www.editionsvitzer.com

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