Largo from Xerxes: Woodwind Ensemble Score & Parts

$25.00 USD

Largo from Xerxes: Woodwind Ensemble Score & Parts

Name: Largo from Xerxes: Woodwind Ensemble Score & Parts
Brand: Alfred Music
SKU: 81-WWE225244
Price: 25.00 USD
Availability: InStock

For Interchangeable Woodwind Ensemble

By George Frederic Handel / arr. David Marlatt

Item: 81-WWE225244

$25.00

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Largo from Xerxes, also known as "Ombra mai fu", is the opening aria from the 1738 opera. The opera was a failure and closed after only five performances but, over 100 years later, the aria was resurrected and became a big hit. It continues to be played at various solemn occasions such as processions, funerals and weddings.(2:40)

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Series: Eighth Note Publications

Publisher: Eighth Note Publications

ISBN10: 1-77893-127-8

ISBN13: 978-1-77893-127-7

SKU: 81-WWE225244

More about this title

About the Composer: George Frederic Handel

George Frideric Handel (1685-1759) was a German-born composer who spent most of his career in England, where he became a dominant figure in Baroque music. He composed more than 40 operas, numerous oratorios, concertos, and keyboard works that established him as one of the era's most prolific and commercially successful musicians.

Handel's gift for melody remains unmatched among his contemporaries. His ability to craft singable, memorable lines that lodge in the ear after a single hearing shaped music education for centuries. Teachers and conductors continue to turn to his work because it demonstrates compositional clarity, harmonic logic, and emotional directness without sacrificing sophistication.

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Why we love this

This arrangement captures one of the most recognizable melodies in Western music, stripped to its essential beauty. Woodwind ensembles rarely encounter repertoire this accessible yet this dignified, making it an ideal choice for building ensemble cohesion while maintaining artistic credibility. The flexible instrumentation means you can program it regardless of who shows up on performance day.

What to expect

Serene and unhurried, with a gentle grandeur that speaks to reverence without heaviness. The Largo unfolds like a prayer, each phrase a moment of quiet contemplation, and Handel's melody has the quality of something timeless that reveals new beauty with each listening.

Who it's for

Intermediate to advanced woodwind ensembles seeking substantial repertoire that works for formal occasions. Directors programming ceremonies, memorials, or concert events will find this reliable; the dignity of the piece elevates any program without demanding virtuosic technique.

How to get the most out of it

Balance the melody across your principal woodwinds rather than isolating it to a single voice; Handel's writing supports shared responsibility for the line.
Resist the urge to rush the slow harmonic rhythm. Phrase generously and allow the silence between phrases to breathe.
Listen for how Marlatt's arrangement distributes the inner voices; make sure accompaniment parts remain transparent enough that the melody never disappears.
Prepare your ensemble to sustain long tones with consistent air support and evenness across dynamic changes.

How to use it

Program this as a prelude to a concert, an interlude between contrasting works, or as the opening to a formal ceremony or memorial service. Its 2:40 duration and flexible instrumentation make it practical for situations where repertoire choices need to adapt to ensemble size or occasion.