Polovtsian Dance: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts

$55.00 USD

Polovtsian Dance: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts

Name: Polovtsian Dance: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts
Brand: Alfred Music
SKU: 36-50100367
Price: 55.00 USD
Availability: InStock

By Alexander Borodin, ed./arr. by Aric Branchfield

Grade: 1

Item: 36-50100367

$55.00

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Borodin's most famous melody is here made accessible to younger players. Aric Branchfield's arrangement of Polovtsian Dance retains the stunning beauty of the original without overt technical demands. (2:00)

Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Polovtsian Dance: 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: LudwigMasters Beginning Band

Publisher: Keiser Productions, Inc.

UPC: 612735623906

SKU: 36-50100367

Instrumentation: Concert Band

More about this title

About the Composer: Alexander Borodin

Alexander Borodin (1833-1887) was a Russian composer and chemist whose dual career made him a singular figure in 19th-century music. Though he completed relatively few works, his melodic gift and orchestral color secured his place in the concert repertoire. Borodin's music channels Russian romanticism with an Orient-inflected sensibility that continues to captivate audiences and arrangers alike.

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Why we love this

This arrangement strips away the orchestral grandeur while preserving the melody's lyric sweep, making it genuinely singable for younger ensembles. Branchfield's scoring respects Borodin's line without padding it with unnecessary complexity, so your band can focus on the expressive content rather than wrestling with technique. You get a legitimate concert opener or closer that audiences recognize instantly.

What to expect

A broad, almost dance-like melody that unfolds with unhurried grace. There's warmth and a hint of exoticism in the harmonic coloring, paired with a straightforward rhythmic pulse that feels both stately and alive. This is Borodin's most singable idea stripped down to its essentials.

Who it's for

Beginning concert bands seeking repertoire with immediate appeal and historical legitimacy. This works equally well for a Grade 1 ensemble making festival appearances or for directors introducing students to the classical canon through accessible arrangements.

How to get the most out of it

Shape the melody with a long-line approach despite the piece's brief length (2:00). Young players often subdivide each phrase too much; encourage them to imagine singing through the entire tune without gasping for air.
Balance the melodic voice against the accompaniment so the Borodin line sings clearly. Check that harmony parts are genuinely secondary and not competing in volume or articulation.
Keep the tempo steady but warm. Younger ensembles sometimes rush when they feel confident, so a light conducting touch with clear pulse helps maintain the lyrical character.
Pay attention to dynamic contour throughout the piece. Even at Grade 1, this arrangement likely has shape and peaks; make sure your band responds to those architectural moments rather than playing one dynamic level.

How to use it

Pair it with original band works of similar length to create a short first-half segment, or use it as an elegant concert closer that leaves the audience on a melodic note. The piece also fits well on festival programs where a short classical arrangement can stand confidently among contemporary compositions.