March of the Trolls: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts

$80.00 USD

March of the Trolls: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts

Name: March of the Trolls: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts
Brand: Alfred Music
SKU: 00-33859
Price: 80.00 USD
Availability: InStock

By Edvard Grieg / arr. Brian Beck

Grade: 3 (Medium)

Item: 00-33859

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Edvard Grieg (1843--1907) is best known for his eternally popular Piano Concerto in A Minor, as well as more than 150 songs and 66 lyric pieces. March of the Trolls is from his Lyric Pieces, Op. 54. Trolls are a constant theme in Norwegian folklore and can be viewed as the equivalent of our "boogie man." Far to the north in Norway where the winter storms whip the weather-beaten coasts, you will find dark forests with moonlit lakes, deep fjords surrounded by mighty snowcapped mountains, and long rivers and cold streams cascading down the mountain sides. This is where you might find the irritable, short-tempered trolls coming out of their hiding places after sunset, marching to wreck havoc on unsuspecting Norwegian households. Wait and see what your audience will do when the Trolls march up and down the aisles of your next concert! This title is available in MakeMusic Cloud. (3:48)

Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, March of the Trolls: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts comes alive with professional accompaniment, adjustable tempo, and built-in practice tools that turn solo practice into real progress.

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Series: Alfred Concert Band

Publisher: Alfred Music

Page Count: 246

UPC: 038081385716

SKU: 00-33859

More about this title

About the Composer: Edvard Grieg

Edvard Grieg (1843–1907) stands as Norway's most celebrated composer, creating a musical language rooted in Scandinavian folk traditions and nationalist pride. His works span symphonic poetry, concertos, chamber music, and piano pieces, many of which have become standards in concert halls worldwide. Beyond the famous Piano Concerto in A Minor, Grieg's output includes over 150 songs and 66 lyric piano pieces that showcase his gift for melody and harmonic color.

Grieg's connection to Norwegian culture runs through everything he wrote. He drew inspiration from folk melodies, nature imagery, and the dramatic landscapes of his homeland, translating these elements into music that feels both intimate and grand. His Lyric Pieces, from which March of the Trolls comes, reveal his mastery of miniature form and his ability to capture vivid scenes and characters in just a few minutes.

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Why we love this

Brian Beck's arrangement captures the propulsive menace of Grieg's original with clarity and energy that works brilliantly in a concert band setting. The scoring balances accessibility for Grade 3 ensembles with enough textural detail to keep audiences engaged, and the narrative arc of marauding trolls gives students a tangible story to dramatize through their playing. It's a showpiece that earned its reputation.

What to expect

Dark and restless, with an unstoppable forward momentum. The minor key and angular melodies evoke mischief and menace, while the marchlike rhythm suggests creatures on a mission. Moments of eerie calm make way for sudden bursts of activity, creating a tension that keeps listeners wondering what the trolls will do next.

Who it's for

Band directors seeking a Grade 3 masterwork arrangement that combines technical substance with audience appeal and narrative drama. This works equally well for concert programs, festival competitions, and young musicians who need to invest in a piece with real character and harmonic sophistication.

How to get the most out of it

Commit fully to the character: these trolls aren't cute or whimsical. Shape phrases with the irritability and mischief of short-tempered creatures emerging at night.
Lock the rhythmic precision between woodwinds and brass, especially in the marchlike sections where even eighth-note subdivisions define the troll's footsteps.
Watch for dynamic contrast between the main theme and its variants; the arrangement thrives on sudden shifts in texture and volume that suggest trolls appearing and disappearing.
Use the full three minutes and forty-eight seconds to build narrative momentum. Resist the urge to rush; let the minor key and orchestration work their unsettling magic.

How to use it

Program this as a concert centerpiece or finale, especially in a season exploring Scandinavian music or folklore-inspired works. It pairs well with lighter pieces earlier in the program and gives your ensemble a chance to shine with character-driven storytelling that goes beyond typical band fare.