Folk Dances (arr. James Curnow): Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts
By Dmitri Shostakovich / Arranged by James Curnow
Grade: 3.5
Item: 35-PK01214384
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Description
Here is one of the most popular works of Russian master composer Dmitri Shostakovich skillfully adapted by James Curnow. Filled with humor and vitality, this single-movement work is an engaging and worthy entry in the repertoire for younger bands. Dur: 4:35 (Grade 3-1/2). Audio recorded on "Down from the Shimmering Sky" (44003669) -- The Orchestra of Lithuanian Armed Forces -- James Curnow, conductor.
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Additional Details
Publisher:
Hal Leonard
SKU:
35-PK01214384
More about this title
About the Composer: Dmitri Shostakovich
Dmitri Shostakovich (1906-1975) was a Soviet composer whose output spanned symphonies, concertos, chamber works, and film scores. His music balances intellectual rigor with direct emotional impact, often layering dark humor and irony beneath the surface. For band and orchestra educators, Shostakovich's work offers students access to twentieth-century compositional thinking without sacrificing melodic clarity or engagement.
Shostakovich wrote extensively for ballet and theater, which gave his orchestral works a natural theatrical flair. His instrumental colors are precise and often surprising, making his arrangements ideal for developing musicians who need models of sophisticated orchestration at an approachable level.
Why we love this
Curnow's arrangement captures the sardonic energy of Shostakovich's original without losing the sharp character changes and orchestral wit that make this piece memorable. The Grade 3.5 scoring is genuinely playable without ever feeling dumbed down; sections get real work to do, and the humor lands because students understand what they're playing.
What to expect
Playful and irreverent. Folk melodies emerge with a wry grin, shifting in and out of focus as Shostakovich recontextualizes them with unexpected harmonies and rhythmic twists. The single movement holds genuine variety without feeling scattered.
Who it's for
Developing bands ready to explore Russian compositional voice and twentieth-century idiom. This works equally well for groups building concert season repertoire or introducing students to Shostakovich beyond the symphonies.
How to get the most out of it
- Keep the tempo moving steadily through the meter changes. This piece thrives on forward motion; hesitation kills the comedic timing.
- Listen across the entire ensemble for the folk melody as it passes between sections. The clarity of handoffs will make the structure audible to the audience.
- Balance the inner voices carefully during thicker textures so that the characteristic Shostakovich orchestration shines through rather than becoming muddy.
- Let the rhythmic figures breathe with their natural accent patterns. Overdriving dynamics will obscure the folk idiom underneath.
How to use it
Place this as a strong opener or closer on a concert pairing it with other twentieth-century works to frame a thematic program, or use it to anchor a "Russian Masters" concert alongside lighter fare. Its 4.5-minute runtime and immediate appeal make it perfect for students who need confidence-building wins alongside more challenging repertoire.
Skills your students will build
- Following melodic lines through orchestral color changes
- Responding to conductor cues across shifts in character and style
- Balancing accompaniment figures with principal voices
- Playing folk idioms with precision and humor
- Sustaining ensemble cohesion through harmonic complexity