Parade of the Wooden Soldiers, Op. 123 (Die Parade der Zinnsoldaten) Cover Image

Parade of the Wooden Soldiers, Op. 123 (Die Parade der Zinnsoldaten): Full Orchestra, Ensemble Works, Conductor Score

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Parade of the Wooden Soldiers, Op. 123 (Die Parade der Zinnsoldaten) Cover Image
Parade of the Wooden Soldiers, Op. 123 (Die Parade der Zinnsoldaten): Full Orchestra, Ensemble Works, Conductor Score

Parade of the Wooden Soldiers, Op. 123 (Die Parade der Zinnsoldaten): Full Orchestra, Ensemble Works, Conductor Score

By Leon Jessel / ed./arr. Morton Gould

Item: 36-A936201
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Description
Leon Jessel (1871-1942) composed his lighthearted march Parade of the Wooden Soldiers (Die Parade der Zinnsoldaten) in 1905, and it quickly became a popular favorite in both Europe and America for its playful character and catchy melody. American composer and conductor Morton Gould created a colorful orchestral arrangement that further cemented the piece's place in the concert repertoire. Historically, the march gained widespread fame through its use in Vaudeville, film, and especially in the annual Radio City Christmas Spectacular, where it has been featured since 1933. Today, Gould's orchestration is a staple of pops concerts and holiday programs, admired for its brilliant scoring and whimsical charm, and it continues to delight audiences as one of the most enduring works of light classical music. (4:00)
Instrumentation: Small Orch: 2.0.1.0: 3Sax(AAT): 0.3.2.0: Timp.Perc(3): Clst: Str (9-8-7-6-5 in set); or Full Orch: 2.2.2.2: 3Sax(AAT): 2.3.2.0: Timp.Perc(3): Clst: Str (9-8-7-6-5 in set); or Grand Orch: 2.2.2+BCl.2: 4Sax(AATB): 2.3.3.1: Timp.Perc(3): Hp.Clst: Str (9-8-7-6-5 in set). Newly engraved full score and parts. An 11x14 oversized score is also available from Edwin F. Kalmus.

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Additional Details
Series: Kalmus Symphonic Pops
Publisher: Keiser Productions, Inc.
ISBN10: 8-89-810294-1
ISBN13: 979-889-810-2944
UPC: 605258653536
SKU: 36-A936201
Instrumentation: Grand Orch: 2.2.2+BCl.2: 4Sax(AATB): 2.3.3.1: Timp.Perc(3): Hp: Pno/Clst: Str (9-8-7-6-5 in set). Smaller orchestra options in marketing description.

More about this title

About the Composer: Leon Jessel

Leon Jessel (1871, 1942) was a German composer and conductor best known for light orchestral music and operettas. Though his catalog extended to larger theatrical works, Jessel achieved lasting fame through brief, infectious instrumental pieces that captured the spirit of early twentieth-century entertainment. Parade of the Wooden Soldiers became his signature work, demonstrating his gift for melody and his instinct for what would stick in audiences' ears.

Why we love this

Morton Gould's orchestration transforms a charming march into a vehicle for brilliant instrumental color and dynamic contrast. The piece manages to be both accessible and genuinely well-written, giving serious orchestras a repertoire choice that doesn't compromise musicality while still drawing consistent applause and fitting naturally into holiday or pops programming.

What to expect

Picture toy soldiers marching with exaggerated precision and whimsy, each section of the orchestra adding its own character to the procession. The piece sparkles with color and humor, never settling into sentimentality despite its nostalgic roots. It's infectious without being frivolous, and charming without losing musicianship.

Who it's for

Orchestras preparing pops or holiday concerts will find this a natural fit; it's a crowd-pleaser with enough orchestral substance to engage serious musicians. Regional orchestras, community orchestras, and university ensembles all have played this successfully at different levels of proficiency.

How to get the most out of it

  • Keep the opening statement crisp and marchlike; the woodwinds set the tone, so articulation matters more than volume.
  • Balance the saxophone section carefully in the fuller passages. With four saxes in the Grand Orch version, they'll overwhelm the strings if the conductor doesn't shape dynamics thoughtfully.
  • Lock the percussion and timpani parts early. The rhythmic energy of the march depends on these players sitting together, especially in the busier sections.
  • Shape the middle sections with clear phrasing rather than driving straight through. A lighter touch in the quieter passages lets the orchestration's details emerge.

How to use it

Slot this into a pops concert as an opener or mid-program lift; its four-minute duration and upbeat character make it an ideal palate-cleanser between heavier works. It's also a natural for holiday programming, particularly if your concert includes other festive or lighter pieces, and works well as a finale when you want to send audiences out smiling.

Skills your students will build

  • Precision in marchlike rhythmic articulation and ensemble synchronization
  • Balancing multiple woodwind and saxophone lines in colorful orchestrations
  • Executing quick instrumental transitions and dynamic shifts
  • Maintaining forward momentum in a sectional, episodic form

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