Polka (Bureaucrat's Dance) from The Bolt, Op. 27 Cover Image

Polka (Bureaucrat's Dance) from The Bolt, Op. 27: Concert Band, Conductor Score

$5.00 USD

Polka (Bureaucrat's Dance) from The Bolt, Op. 27: Concert Band, Conductor Score

Name: Polka (Bureaucrat's Dance) from The Bolt, Op. 27: Concert Band, Conductor Score
Brand: Alfred Music
SKU: 36-50105127
Price: 5.00 USD
Availability: InStock

By Dmitri Shostakovich, ed./arr. by Donald Hunsberger

Grade: 4

Item: 36-50105127

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This arrangement for concert band of Dmitri Shostakovich's (1906-1975) POLKA from his ballet, THE BOLT, has been completed by Donald Hunsberger.

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Series: LudwigMasters Symphonic Band

Publisher: Keiser Productions, Inc.

ISBN10: 1-62-156708-7

ISBN13: 978-1-62-156708-0

UPC: 659859314631

SKU: 36-50105127

Instrumentation: Concert Band

More about this title

About the Composer: Dmitri Shostakovich

Dmitri Shostakovich (1906, 1975) was a Russian composer whose output spanned symphonies, concertos, chamber music, and theatrical works, all marked by sharp wit and emotional depth. His ballets, including The Bolt (1931), showcase his gift for orchestration and his ability to blend folk idioms with modernist harmonies, making them enduring pedagogical treasures for ensemble work.

Shostakovich's music demands clarity and precision from performers. His rhythmic vitality and transparent orchestration teach conductors and students alike how to shape lines within complex textures, and his gift for memorable melody ensures that even technically demanding passages remain musically grounded.

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Why we love this

Hunsberger's arrangement captures the irrepressible energy of Shostakovich's original without sacrificing the composer's signature harmonic bite. At Grade 4, the piece sits at that sweet spot where students can feel the orchestral sweep while still managing the technical demands, and the buoyant character lifts any concert program out of the predictable.

What to expect

A Russian bureaucrat's quickstep, all mechanical precision and wry charm. The melody dances with a slight smirk, never taking itself too seriously, while unexpected harmonic turns and pungent orchestral colors remind you that Shostakovich is always one step ahead of the listener.

Who it's for

Conductors programming a concert band at the intermediate level who want to move beyond standard march-and-overture fare. The Grade 4 difficulty makes it accessible to strong high school bands and advanced middle school groups.

How to get the most out of it

Keep the polka rhythm crisp and bouncy; understate the accents rather than hammering them, which lets the inherent lift of the melody carry the momentum.
Balance the woodwind soloists carefully against the supporting harmonies. Shostakovich writes transparent textures, so resist the urge to blend them into a wall of sound.
Lock the rhythmic unison passages (especially in the opening) with your entire ensemble first, then layer articulation and color on top.

How to use it

Pair this on a concert with other 20th-century nationalist works, or use it as a palate-cleanser mid-program between heavier selections. The comedic character and propulsive rhythm make it an excellent vehicle for discussing how composers use orchestration to tell a story, even in concert band transcription.