Fascinating Rhythm: Full Orchestra Conductor Score & Parts

$70.00 USD

Fascinating Rhythm: Full Orchestra Conductor Score & Parts

Name: Fascinating Rhythm: Full Orchestra Conductor Score & Parts
Brand: Alfred Music
SKU: 00-35946
Price: 70.00 USD
Availability: InStock

Music and lyrics by George Gershwin and Ira Gershwin / arr. John Whitney

Grade: 4

Item: 00-35946

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This arrangement is a bit more like a concert overture than a "jazz chart." The original form of Gershwin's song can easily be found throughout. Sure to delight audiences and players!

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Series: Pop Concert Full Orchestra

Publisher: Alfred Music

Page Count: 228

UPC: 038081414768

SKU: 00-35946

Instrumentation: full (xylophone/bells/cabasa or afuche, timp, snare/2toms/bass, suscym/ridecym, hi-hat/triangle)

More about this title

About the Composer: George Gershwin

George Gershwin (1898-1937) bridged the worlds of concert music and American popular song with a sophistication that few composers have matched. His ability to write melodies that feel both immediately accessible and harmonically inventive made him a central figure in twentieth-century music, whether composing for Broadway, film, or the concert hall.

Gershwin's harmonic language, rhythmic vitality, and gift for orchestration continue to inspire arrangements and reinterpretations. His work remains a staple of music education because it demonstrates how popular idioms can sustain serious musical development without sacrificing charm or accessibility.

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Why we love this

John Whitney's arrangement transforms a beloved song into a piece that functions like a concert overture, giving full orchestras a chance to explore Gershwin's melodic gift while maintaining the swagger and wit of the original. The Grade 4 level makes it achievable for strong high school and developing college ensembles without dumbing down the orchestration or Gershwin's harmonic sophistication.

What to expect

The piece captures the infectious energy and sophisticated sass of Gershwin's original. From the first notes, listeners recognize the iconic tune, but Whitney's orchestration reveals new angles and textures that keep the ear engaged throughout, balancing moments of elegance with straight-ahead rhythmic propulsion.

Who it's for

Conductors leading full orchestras at the Grade 4 level will find this arrangement accessible without being simplistic. It works equally well for high school orchestras seeking engaging concert repertoire and college ensembles looking for a showpiece that connects with audiences.

How to get the most out of it

Balance the rhythmic clarity of the percussion section (xylophone, timpani, snare) with the melodic lines in the winds and strings; this piece thrives on crisp articulation without drowning out the tune.
Pay close attention to the arrangement's harmonic color by shaping sustained chords in the brass and woodwinds; Gershwin's harmonies are part of what makes the melody sing.
Conduct the jazz rhythms and syncopations with a clear beat so that the ensemble locks together; the energy of 'Fascinating Rhythm' depends on rhythmic confidence, not looseness.

How to use it

Slot this in the middle or closing slot of a pops concert or light classics program to give your audience a familiar touchstone alongside deeper repertoire. It also pairs well with other American standards or other Gershwin works as part of a focused concert theme exploring twentieth-century American song.