Nutcracker Ballet, Set I ("Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy" and "Waltz of the Flowers"): Full Orchestra Conductor Score & Parts
By Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky / arr. Merle J. Isaac
Grade: 3.5
Item: 00-PK-0002377
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Description
One of the most famous ballets by Tchaikovsky is given special treatment by veteran orchestra arranger Merle Isaac. Two lovely melodies are included in this rewarding collection. Both are complete arrangements, but they can be performed as a suite. Contains: Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy (1:47) * Waltz of the Flowers (3:45)
Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Nutcracker Ballet, Set I ("Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy" and "Waltz of the Flowers"): Full Orchestra 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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Additional Details
Series:
Belwin Concert Full Orchestra
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
176
SKU:
00-PK-0002377
More about this title
About the Composer: Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Tchaikovsky stands as one of the 19th century's most gifted melodists, and his ballet scores remain cornerstones of the orchestral repertoire. His gift for writing themes that lodge immediately in the ear, combined with his sophisticated orchestration, made his ballets popular from their premieres and keeps them central to music education today.
The Nutcracker, composed in 1892, represents Tchaikovsky at his most inventive with instrumental color and dance rhythm. Music educators value this score for its accessibility to young players alongside its genuine musical substance, making it ideal for building orchestral maturity without overwhelming developing musicians.
Why we love this
Merle Isaac's Grade 3.5 reduction preserves the harmonic richness and melodic integrity of these two iconic movements while keeping part-writing playable for mixed-ability orchestras. The arrangement captures what makes Tchaikovsky's orchestration special: transparent textures, idiomatic voice leading, and genuine excitement for players across all sections.
What to expect
The Sugar Plum Fairy dances in delicate, crystalline lines over a gently rocking accompaniment, creating a sense of weightless whimsy. The Waltz swells into grand, flowing phrases that feel ceremonial and joyful at once, giving the full orchestra chances to shine with genuine warmth.
Who it's for
This set works for Grade 3-4 orchestras ready to tackle recognizable masterworks with some sophistication. It's equally valuable for directors building a winter or holiday concert and for teachers introducing students to Tchaikovsky's compositional voice through material that rewards close listening.
How to get the most out of it
- Shape the Sugar Plum Fairy melody with consistent phrasing across the full orchestra; this isn't a solo showcase but rather a unified statement of one of classical music's most beloved tunes.
- Establish a solid, dancing pulse in the Waltz before adding expressive rubato. The rhythmic foundation matters more than pushing tempo flexibility.
- Balance the inner voices carefully in both movements. Tchaikovsky's brilliance lies partly in what the second violins and violas are doing, so don't let thick doublings mask those details.
- Record a rehearsal run-through and listen for clarity in the orchestration. If you hear mud instead of individual instrumental colors, thin the texture slightly.
How to use it
Use both pieces as a complete suite during holiday performances, or program them separately at different concerts throughout the season. The Sugar Plum Fairy pairs well with lighter, character-driven repertoire, while the Waltz works beautifully as a substantial closer or bridge between concert sections.
Skills your students will build
- Balancing ensemble sound across different orchestral sections
- Maintaining steady tempo through longer, flowing phrases
- Playing with stylistic clarity in Romantic-era melodic writing
- Managing dynamic shape in themes that repeat across multiple instruments
- Coordinating articulation and phrasing across the full orchestra