Maurice Ravel

Bolero

Additional special parts: Wood I in Bb, Wood II in Bb and Eb, Wood III in C and Eb, Wood IV (1) in high Bb (tenor sax), Wood IV (2) in high Bb (bass clarinet), Brass I in C, Brass II in C, Brass III in Eb (alto sax), Brass IV(a) in high Bb (bass clarinet) and high E flat (baritone sax)

Every major symphony orchestra has it in its repertoire - now school and amateur orchestras can finally immerse themselves in the fascinating sound world of Maurice Ravel's Boléro: With the new, simplified arrangement from the music publisher Andrea Wiegand, it is now almost child's play to make the concise rhythm and catchy melodies of this modern classic sound great yourself!
Over the ostinato rhythm of the snare drum, the individual instruments gradually enter in various combinations, whereby the tonal diversity of the orchestral colorfulness of the crescendo composed by Ravel is largely preserved thanks to clever formal condensation.
The strings are joined by four woodwinds and four brass instruments, which can also be divided into two players each if required. The following instrumentation is provided: Flute, oboe, clarinet and bassoon or trumpet, trombone (alternatively horn) and tuba. There is also an obbligato snare drum and a piano ad lib. The work is given additional power and dynamics by timpani, bass drum, cymbals and glockenspiel.
The level of difficulty for the winds is easy to moderate; the string parts are clearly graduated and only require violin I and cello to play in the upper register. The viola can be replaced by a violin III. We have also thought of the younger participants: with an easy-to-understand exercise, the characteristic rhythm of the two themes can be successfully rehearsed step by step.

Series: Festive music