Prince Igor, Act II: Polovtsian (Polovetsian) Dances Cover Image

Prince Igor, Act II: Polovtsian (Polovetsian) Dances: Full Orchestra, Chorus with Ensemble

$105.00 USD
$105.00 USD
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Prince Igor, Act II: Polovtsian (Polovetsian) Dances Cover Image
Prince Igor, Act II: Polovtsian (Polovetsian) Dances: Full Orchestra, Chorus with Ensemble

Prince Igor, Act II: Polovtsian (Polovetsian) Dances: Full Orchestra, Chorus with Ensemble

By Alexander Borodin / arr. Nicolai Rimsky-Korsavkov, Nancy Bradburd, Clinton Nieweg

Item: 36-A133601OS
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Description
From the end of Act 2 from Borodin's opera Prince Igor, which remained unfinished at the time of the composer's death in 1887, this most famous version of the Polovtsian Dances (or Polevetsian Dances) was orchestrated by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov. While the music includes choral/vocal parts, those are often omitted when performed as an orchestral showpiece. This edition has been edited by Nancy M. Bradburd and Clinton F. Nieweg. Instrumentation: 2+1.2(2dEH).2.2: 4.2.3.1: Timp.Perc(4-5): Hp: Str(9-8-7-6-5 in set): (Mix Chor). 11x14 score.

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Additional Details
Series: Kalmus Oversized Score Library
Publisher: Keiser Productions, Inc.
ISBN10: 1-63-887656-8
ISBN13: 978-1-63-887656-4
UPC: 735816299651
SKU: 36-A133601OS
Instrumentation: Detailed Instrumentation: 2+1.2(2dEH).2.2: 4.2.3.1: Timp.Perc(4-5): Hp: Str(9-8-7-6-5 in set): (Mix Chor)

More about this title

About the Composer: Alexander Borodin

Alexander Borodin (1833, 1887) was a Russian composer and chemist whose double life shaped his distinctive musical voice. His opera Prince Igor, left incomplete at his death, represents the pinnacle of Russian romantic opera, blending sweeping melodies with rich orchestration that influenced generations of composers.

Borodin's gift for orchestral color and his ability to craft music with broad emotional appeal made his work immediately accessible to audiences. The Polovtsian Dances alone have secured his legacy, transcending the opera house to become a concert staple that demonstrates how effective storytelling through music can outlast the dramatic context that inspired it.

Why we love this

This orchestration by Rimsky-Korsakov captures the visceral excitement of a pivotal dramatic moment without requiring a staged production to land. The piece builds inexorably, layering instrumental colors and rhythmic momentum in ways that keep every section engaged and challenged.

What to expect

Exotic, driving, and wildly energetic. The music conjures Bedouin warriors in vivid, rhythmic motion, with sudden shifts between frenzied celebration and moments of mysterious calm. It's orchestral storytelling at its most cinematic, full of swagger and color.

Who it's for

Advanced community orchestras and college ensembles with the depth to handle the full Rimsky-Korsakov orchestration. The piece demands secure ensemble reading and strong sectional independence, making it ideal for groups ready to tackle significant Russian repertoire.

How to get the most out of it

  • Establish the percussion section's role early in rehearsals. The timpani figures and tambourine create the heartbeat of these dances; they must lock together precisely for the propulsive sections to hit.
  • Balance the harp's glittering passages against the full string sound. These moments demand transparency without sacrificing warmth, particularly in the slower choral sections if you retain those parts.
  • Shape the climactic sections by treating each instrumental wave as its own arc rather than one monolithic crescendo. The piece has multiple peaks, and recognizing where to pull back slightly will make the final push more devastating.
  • Pay attention to the English horn and clarinet solos embedded in the orchestration. These moments often get buried but deserve space to breathe and sing.

How to use it

Program this as a second-half opener on a concert celebrating Russian orchestral literature, or pair it with other Borodin works to showcase his gift for melody and orchestration. The piece also works beautifully as a finale if you want to send the audience out energized rather than reflective.

Skills your students will build

  • Sustained ensemble coordination across multiple independent rhythmic layers
  • Reading at a high chromatic density with frequent accidentals
  • Balancing soloistic moments within full orchestral textures
  • Interpreting Russian orchestral idiom and performance conventions
  • Managing stamina through extended climactic sections

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