Dvorak (Leaman): Serenade, op. 44 arr. for Saxophone Choir

Code: JP4057
ISMN: 979-0-3019-0205-9

Antonin Dvorak followed in the Nationalist tradition of many late nineteenth-century composers, including fellow Czech composer, Bedrich Smetana. Frequently using folk materials of his native land, among Dvorak's most famous works are his symphonies, the 'American' String Quartet, and the Slavonic Dances.

The Serenade, Op. 44 in d minor was created in early 1878, sandwiched between the premiere of Dvorak's opera The Cunning Peasant and followed by the his famous Slavonic Dances later that same year. The Serenade was premiered on 17 November 1878 at a concert featuring Dvorak's works, with the Prague orchestra of the Provisional Theatre under the composer's direction.

Dvorak's Serenade was originally written for the rather unusual combination of two oboes, two clarinets, two bassoons, contra-bassoon, three horns, cello, and double-bass; and it has only four movements, which is fewer than the traditional Serenade. This arrangement by Clifford Leamann for saxophone choir uses the same number of voices as in the original, though due to range restrictions, disperses some of the parts among the various saxophones as needed. The arrangement is scored for sopranino saxophone, 2 soprano saxophones, 3 alto saxophones, 3 tenor saxophones, 2 baritone saxophones, and bass saxophone. An alternate third soprano saxophone part is included as a substitute for the sopranino saxophone if this instrument is not available. The bass saxophone part, although desireable, is optional. A full score and set of parts in included in the set. Total duration of all 4 movements is approximately 23.5 minutes.

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