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Opera and Art Song Reductions and Orchestrations Origin
Opera and Art Song Reductions and Orchestrations Origin
In late summer 2025, I was asked by conductor Anna Handler over a lovely dinner in the Berkshires to create original orchestrations for a number of art songs as well as reductions of famous opera arias for a concert of hers coming up at the Elbphilharmonie in Hamburg, Germany. She was to be conducting Enigma Classica (her orchestra) with soloist Jonathan Tetelman which prompted the need for these specific versions. Over the next several months, the program developed, the exact orchestration changed, and we found what would eventually be our final solution. While the recording of the concert is not available, I have made the arrangements all available for purchase for other groups who wish to program similarly.
Having been made for chamber orchestra, they work well for small community orchestras and recitals as well as many other options. The orchestration of each one is particularly unique depending on various needs and when it was developed in relation to the changes of the available orchestral players, but the orchestration is generally as follows:
1111/2000/perc/(piano)/small strings
Piccolo is sometimes substituted or in addition to flute, and the same can be said for English horn for the oboe. Most common instruments for percussion include timpani, crash cymbal, suspended cymbal, triangle, and bass drum. Some pieces get into one on a part for the strings as well. Occasionally there is a harp part.
By clicking on the title, it will take you to the corresponding JW Pepper page with the piece. Each is $45.
Orchestra only
Orchestra only
The orchestration is one of each woodwind, 2 horns, percussion, solo violin, 5 violins, 2 violas, 2 celli, and bass.
The orchestration is one of each woodwind, 2 horns, percussion, piano, harp, 6 violins, 2 violas, 2 celli, and bass.
Originally designed to be the opener of the whole concert but later cut. The orchestration is one of each woodwind, 2 horns, and intended to have 3/3/2/2/1 for the string section.
Art Song Orchestrations
Art Song Orchestrations
The orchestration is one of each woodwind, 2 horns, percussion, piano, intended to have 3/3/2/2/1 for the string section, and of course, a tenor.
The orchestration is one of each woodwind, 2 horns, percussion, piano, intended to have 3/3/2/2/1 for the string section, and a tenor.
The orchestration is one of each woodwind, 2 horns, percussion, intended to have 3/3/2/2/1 for the string section, and a tenor.
The orchestration is one of each woodwind, 2 horns, percussion, intended to have 3/3/2/2/1 for the string section, and is arranged for a tenor soloist rather than a soprano.
The orchestration is one of each woodwind, 2 horns, intended to have 3/3/2/2/1 for the string section, and a tenor.
The orchestration is one of each woodwind, 2 horns, percussion, intended to have 3/3/2/2/1 for the string section, and a tenor.
Opera Reductions
Opera Reductions
Contains the "Overture" and "La fleur que tu m'avais jetée" in a segue-esque fashion. The orchestration is for one of each woodwind, 2 horns, a percussionist, a small string section, and of course, a tenor for the second half.
The orchestration is one of each woodwind (English horn rather than oboe), 2 horns, percussion, intended to have 3/3/2/2/1 for the string section, and a tenor.
Crosses between the two in a segue-esque fashion. The orchestration is one of each woodwind, 2 horns, percussion, piano, intended to have 3/3/2/2/1 for the string section, and a tenor for the second half.
The orchestration is one of each woodwind, 2 horns, percussion, intended to have 3/3/2/2/1 for the string section, and a tenor.
The orchestration is one of each woodwind, 2 horns, percussion, piano, intended to have 3/3/2/2/1 for the string section, and of course, a tenor.
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