Carnivale (Glazunov)

Extracted from one of Glazunov’s suites for orchestra, Carnivale is a rousing tarantella to be performed at a brisk tempo in 6/8 time. With its rapid tempo and dramatic dynamic changes, Carnivale would provide a stirring conclusion to any band concert.

Program Notes

Carnivale, a rousing tarantella, is the last of four movements included in A Glazunov Set which, in turn, have been extracted by the arranger from two of Glazunov’s six suites for orchestra. The source for this movement is Characteristic Suite in D major, Opus 9—an early work composed by Glazunov between 1884–1887. For this transcription the original orchestral version has been edited, with redactions kept to a minimum, for greater succinctness and flow of musical ideas.

In keeping with the traditional character of a tarantella, Carnivale is to be performed at a brisk tempo in 6/8 time—M.M.= 160 or above. It is in the mold of Rossini’s La Danza which was included by Ottorino Respighi in La Boutique Fantasque—even to the extent of being in a minor key. With its rapid tempo and dramatic dynamic changes, Carnivale would provide a stirring conclusion to any band concert.

Grade Level: 5
Copyright: 2011
Number of Players: Standard
Duration: 4:00

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Sample PDF

Instrumentation

Piccolo
Flute 1
Flute 2
Oboe 1
Oboe 2
Bassoon 1
Bassoon 2
E-flat Clarinet
Solo Clarinet
B-flat Clarinet 1
B-flat Clarinet 2
B-flat Clarinet 3
E-flat Alto Clarinet
B-flat Bass Clarinet
B-flat Contrabass Clarinet
Soprano Saxophone
Alto Saxophone
Tenor Saxophone
Baritone Saxophone

B-flat Trumpet 1
B-flat Trumpet 2
B-flat Trumpet 3
F Horn 1
F Horn 2
F Horn 3
F Horn 4
Trombone 1
Trombone 2
Trombone 3/Bass Trombone
Euphonium
Baritone T.C.
Tuba

Double Bass

Timpani (3 drums)
Triangle
Tamgourine
Snare Drum
Cymbals
Bass Drum