Grosse Fuge (Great Fugue), Op. 133 Cover Image

Grosse Fuge (Great Fugue), Op. 133: String Orchestra Conductor Score

$15.00 USD

Grosse Fuge (Great Fugue), Op. 133: String Orchestra Conductor Score

Name: Grosse Fuge (Great Fugue), Op. 133: String Orchestra Conductor Score
Brand: Alfred Music
SKU: 36-A100801
Price: 15.00 USD
Availability: InStock

By Ludwig van Beethoven / arr. Felix Von Weingartner

Item: 36-A100801

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The GROSSE FUGE (Great Fugue) remains the most controversial work by Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827), with it considered incomprehensible by his contemporaries, though the critical opinion of the work began to rise steadily in the early 20th century to the point where is now considered by many to be Beethoven's greatest achievements, with Igor Stravinsky describing it as, "an absolutely contemporary piece of music that will be contemporary forever." Originally composed as the fourth movement of his QUARTET NO. 13 in Bb Major, Op. 130, the dismal reception led his publisher to request of Beethoven to rewrite the final movement so as to not impact sales of the larger work, something to which the usually stubborn composer surprisingly agreed. The single movement string quartet was then published as a standalone work, Op. 133. This arrangement by Felix von Weingartner for string orchestra was completed in 1933.

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Series: Kalmus Orchestra Library

Publisher: Keiser Productions, Inc.

ISBN10: 1-63-887621-5

ISBN13: 978-1-63-887621-2

UPC: 660355113581

SKU: 36-A100801

Instrumentation: String Orchestra (8-8-5-5-5 in set)

More about this title

About the Composer: Ludwig van Beethoven

Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827) transformed music from the Classical era into the Romantic one, expanding harmonic language and emotional range in ways that still challenge performers and listeners today. His late works, composed as his deafness deepened, pushed the boundaries of conventional form and tonality; the Grosse Fuge stands as perhaps the most radical example of this fearless exploration.

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Why we love this

This Weingartner arrangement opens the Grosse Fuge to orchestras that don't have a string quartet, making one of music's most intellectually demanding works accessible to ensembles that can truly do it justice. The fugal architecture and harmonic density reward the focused, disciplined rehearsal that a committed string orchestra can bring; this is repertoire that elevates everyone involved.

What to expect

Intellectually intense and emotionally turbulent, the Grosse Fuge unfolds like a debate among equals, with musical ideas colliding, fragmenting, and reforming across driving rhythmic figures and unexpected harmonic turns. It swings from scholarly rigor to raw expressive power, never settling into comfort.

Who it's for

Advanced string orchestras seeking genuinely challenging repertoire that demands both technical proficiency and musical maturity. This work suits ensembles prepared for extended rehearsal and concert programming that serves informed audiences willing to engage with complex music.

How to get the most out of it

Establish the subject with absolute clarity in the initial exposition; every player must hear where the fugue begins and trace its journey through each voice.
Pay close attention to the dramatic shifts in texture and mood that punctuate the work; Beethoven's fugue is not a display of academic counterpoint but a psychological journey.
Balance the tutti passages so that individual lines remain audible even in the densest moments; Weingartner's orchestration requires transparent ensemble sound.
Allow the unusual harmonic progressions and modulations to breathe; resist the urge to rush through unfamiliar harmonic territory.

How to use it

Position this as a centerpiece for a concert devoted to Beethoven's late works or experimental compositional approaches; its difficulty and philosophical weight demand a program structure that gives it space and context. Pair it with earlier Beethoven quartets or other late-period orchestral works to show the composer's evolution.