Six More Waltzes: Score & Parts

Graceful and understated, with the gentle sway of a classical ballroom rather than the bombast of a grand concert work. The melodies unfold with clarity and the accompaniment figures propel the music forward without demanding virtuosity from any player.

String orchestras at the intermediate level, grades 3.5, looking for accessible yet musically satisfying waltz repertoire. Works equally well in full orchestra settings where flute and viola doublings add flexibility to smaller groups.

• Establish a steady, singing pulse in the opening tutti. String players at this level often rush waltzes when excited; a clear downbeat from the conductor anchors the three-beat feel.
• Balance the divisi passages carefully so secondary melodic lines register without overwhelming the primary voice. Adjust stand positioning if needed during sectionals.
• Shape phrase endings with a slight diminuendo and lift rather than stopping abruptly. The waltzes flow best when each section breathes naturally into the next.
• Rehearse any double-stop moments in isolation if intonation wavers. Levin keeps technical demands accessible, but clean sonority in those moments lifts the entire performance.

Program these waltzes on a concert devoted to dance forms or classical traditions to provide a stylistic complement to minuets, marches, or other period-inspired works. Their moderate length and mood also make them effective as a lighter program section between weightier contemporary or symphonic pieces.

• Sustained legato playing across multiple phrases
• Precise intonation in slower-moving ensemble passages
• Rhythmic precision in three-beat meter
• Balance between primary melody and accompanying figures
• Collaboration between string sections and optional wind doublings