Russian Dance (from The Nutcracker Suite): SATB, a cappella Choral Octavo
From The Nutcracker Suite
By Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky / arr. Jeff Funk
Item: 00-PO-0000294
$1.75
Minimum order quantity: 20 copies
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Description
Sung entirely on "fa-la-la" and "plum," this novelty piece successfully transforms Tchaikovsky's orchestration into a light and lively a cappella choral. A jovial choice for holiday performances, Jeff Funk's arrangement dances along from its recognizable opening flourish to the accelerating, jolly end. Guaranteed to make you smile!
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Additional Details
Series:
Alfred Choral Designs
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
12
SKU:
00-PO-0000294
More about this title
About the Composer: Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky (1840-1893) stands as one of the most performed composers in the concert repertoire, known for his gift for melody and his ability to blend Russian musical tradition with European Romantic idiom. His ballets, symphonies, and concertos have become cornerstones of the classical canon, but his genius extended equally to orchestration and the creation of music that speaks directly to listeners of all ages.
Why we love this
Funk's arrangement captures the infectious energy of Tchaikovsky's orchestral original while embracing the whimsical constraints of syllabic singing ('fa-la-la' and 'plum'). The novelty approach never undermines the musical integrity of the source material; instead, it creates an immediate, joyful accessibility that audiences recognize and singers enjoy.
What to expect
Playful and buoyant from the first note, this arrangement sparkles with the familiar joy of Tchaikovsky's original while the sing-along syllables create an intimate, almost folk-like quality. By the accelerating final section, the energy becomes infectious and irresistible, delivering genuine laughter and delight from both singers and audience.
Who it's for
Choirs seeking an approachable, high-energy novelty piece for winter and holiday concerts will find this arrangement perfect for mixed ensembles with intermediate musical maturity. It works equally well for community choirs, school groups, and church choirs looking to balance reverent or traditional selections with something genuinely fun.
How to get the most out of it
- Establish a steady, dance-like pulse early in rehearsal. This piece lives or dies by rhythmic precision and forward momentum, especially as the tempo accelerates toward the end.
- Pay attention to the 'fa-la-la' and 'plum' articulation patterns across all four voices. These syllables should feel natural and unified, not forced or overly precious.
- Balance brightness in the sopranos and altos with a grounded, supportive bass line. The novelty arrangement depends on clarity of line, not blending into opacity.
- Shape the accelerating section carefully. Gradual tempo increases work better than sudden jumps; allow singers to feel the building excitement without losing control.
How to use it
Place this after a reflective or serious piece to shift the emotional tone of your concert, or anchor it as a finale to send your audience out smiling. It pairs well with other holiday classics or lighter choral selections and requires minimal rehearsal time relative to its performance impact.
Skills your students will build
- Rhythmic precision and ensemble synchronization in a fast-moving piece
- Clarity of articulation with sustained vowels and syllabic consonants
- Part independence in SATB voicing without instrumental doubling
- Responding to tempo changes and conducting gestures for accelerando
- Musicality within constraints of a novelty framework