Pulcinella: String Orchestra Conductor Score & Parts

McCashin's string arrangement preserves the infectious energy and melodic appeal of Stravinsky's original without requiring the full orchestra or piano reduction. The writing gives every section moments to shine as soloists, building ensemble confidence while maintaining the wit and charm that make Pulcinella so rewarding to perform.

Playful and clever, with a commedia dell'arte lightness that never becomes frivolous. The music dances between moments of theatrical drama and pure musical delight, driven by clear melodic lines and rhythmic vitality that keeps everyone engaged.

String orchestras at the intermediate-advanced level who want to tackle a masterwork arrangement that doesn't require doubling or adding instruments. Directors seeking festival repertoire that excites both players and adjudicators will find this an excellent choice.

• Emphasize the character changes between soloists. Each spotlight should feel like a distinct personality stepping into the spotlight, not just a technical passage.
• Anchor the rhythmic vitality through the accompaniment parts; if the harmonic foundation stays elastic, the soloists can breathe naturally without dragging.
• Balance transparency with projection. Stravinsky's orchestration reveals inner voices, so resist the urge to smooth over the colors with heavy vibrato.
• Mark phrasing carefully across the parts so soloists understand where phrases begin and end, especially when material passes between instruments.

This makes an ideal opener or closing piece for a spring concert, especially if you're building a program around twentieth-century repertoire. Pair it with more contemporary works or contrast it with Romantic-era pieces to highlight Stravinsky's distinctive harmonic language.

• Executing rhythmic precision in syncopated passages
• Balancing solo writing with ensemble accompaniment textures
• Responding to rapid harmonic changes and chromatic voice leading
• Stylistic flexibility in applying vibrato and tone color to early twentieth-century idioms
• Coordinating isolated soloists within a unified ensemble sound