Kalmus Orchestra Library

The idea for Totentanz, S. 126 (Dance of the Dead) was conceived by Franz Liszt (1811-1886) in 1838. Two versions were to follow, the first completed in 1853, and the second version finished in 1864....

The idea for Totentanz, S. 126 (Dance of the Dead) was conceived by Franz Liszt (1811-1886) in 1838. Two versions were to follow, the first completed in 1853, and the second version finished in 1864....

Originally written by Debussy for piano four hands, PETITE SUITE has been transcribed many times, with this orchestral version by Henri Büsser being the most well-known. Perhaps due to a request from...

Written right after he turned 17 and studying at the Paris Conservatoire, this early work by Georges Bizet (1838-1875) is thought to have been a student assignment written for his teacher, Charles Gou...

Written right after he turned 17 and studying at the Paris Conservatoire, this early work by Georges Bizet (1838-1875) is thought to have been a student assignment written for his teacher, Charles Gou...

KOMM, SÜSSER TOD (Come, Sweet Death) was originally written for solo voice and basso continuo as part of the 69 SACRED SONGS AND ARIAS that J. S. Bach contributed to MUSICALISCHES GESANGBUCH by Georg...

One of Peter Ilyitch Tchaikovsky's (1840-1893) more joyful compositions, this Symphony No. 2 was highly regarded and successful from its premiere, which took place on February 7, 1873. Despite this in...

One of his longer works and the last to see immediate popularity, Edward Elgar's (1857-1934) Violin Concerto in B minor, Op. 61 has always found its way on concert programs, even when Elgar's works fe...

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791) wrote the two-act opera DON GIOVANNI, K. 527, in 1787 following a commission from Prague impresario Pasquale Bondini. With the success of THE MARRIAGE OF FIGARO, Mo...

Künstler-Quadrille nach Motiven berühmter Meister (Artist's Quadrille based on Themes of famous Masters), Op. 201, was written in 1858 by Johann Strauss II (1825-1899). The quadrille was a lively, sty...

Dvorák's Symphony No. 6 bears many similarities to the symphonies of Brahms and Beethoven, and incorporates several Czech folk tunes. It was first performed in Vienna in 1883 by the Gesellschaft der M...

Symphonic Dances, Op. 45, is Sergei Rachmaninoff's (1873-1943) final score, composed in 1940. The only work he composed wholly in the United States, to which he fled when he saw the coming world war,...

Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 4 in G minor, Op. 40, was completed in 1926. The work exists in three versions. Following its unsuccessful premiere, the composer made cuts and other amendments befor...

Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov's (1844-1908) path to completion of his Symphony No. 1, Op. 1 was less direct than is usual. While he had sketched ideas for the symphony as a result of his compositions lesson...

In French, the word "villanelle" implies a rustic song or dance. It was used during the 16th century to describe songs which used simple language and were of a pastoral nature. Orchestrated by Donald...

In French, the word "villanelle" implies a rustic song or dance. It was used during the 16th century to describe songs which used simple language and were of a pastoral nature. Orchestrated by Donald...

In 1945 Strauss allowed an orchestral Rosenkavalier Suite to be published, but he was apparently not involved in creating it. It is likely that conductor Artur Rodzinski arranged it, as he had conduct...

In 1945 Strauss allowed an orchestral Rosenkavalier Suite to be published, but he was apparently not involved in creating it. It is likely that conductor Artur Rodzinski arranged it, as he had conduct...

GAELIC SYMPHONY or SYMPHONY IN E MINOR, Op. 32 was written by Amy Beach (1867-1944) in 1894, and it holds the distinction of being the first symphony composed by a female American composer. Premiering...

GAELIC SYMPHONY or SYMPHONY IN E MINOR, Op. 32 was written by Amy Beach (1867-1944) in 1894, and it holds the distinction of being the first symphony composed by a female American composer. Premiering...

Franz Joseph Haydn's (1732-1809) CONCERTO FOR CELLO in C, Hob. VIIb: 1 is a rare instance where a masterpiece was lost, in this case for almost 200 years, before being rediscovered. The manuscript was...

This standardized version of the patriotic melody has been harmonized and orchestrated by famed conductor and composer Walter Damrosch. Instrumentation: 2+Picc.2.2.2: 4.2.3.1: Timp.Perc(3-4): Str (9-8...

George Friderick Handel (1685-1759) wrote WATER MUSIC at the behest of King George I, who wanted to entertain his royal guests with music as they sailed by barge down the Thames River. The king and hi...

Le Tombeau de Couperin is a suite for solo piano by Maurice Ravel, composed between 1914 and 1917. The piece is in six movements, based on those of a traditional Baroque suite. Each movement is dedica...