Sleigh Ride: A Holiday Excursion - Piano Duo (2 Pianos, 4 Hands): Piano Duets & Four Hands
A Holiday Excursion
By Leroy Anderson / arr. Greg Anderson
Level: Advanced
Item: 00-PB-0000716
$6.99
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Description
Greg Anderson and Elizabeth Joy Roe are perhaps the most thrilling young duo performing today, offering adrenalized classical concerts that are revolutionizing the piano duo experience for the 21st century. Described as "Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers transposed from the dance floor to the keyboard" (The Southampton Press) and "the intense synchronization of genius" (ThirdCoast Digest), Greg and Liz bring their joyous camaraderie and refined artistry to the concert stage, dazzling audiences around the world as a four-hand and two-piano team.
The Anderson & Roe Duos & Duets series features inspiring arrangements as performed by the duo---from settings of treasured opera melodies to medleys of popular movie music. The pieces are edited with fingering and other directions that facilitate rehearsal and performance, making them accessible for advancing students as well as for concert performers.
Sleigh Ride: A Holiday Excursion offers an audience-pleasing rendition of Leroy Anderson's timeless classic. The opening of this arrangement presents the iconic main theme with playful staccato notes interrupted by flashes of sparkling passagework. As the excitement builds, the players exchange jiving rhythms, percussive chords, and dazzling glissandos. Just when the sleigh ride is about to end, a few musical surprises bring this lively duo to a whimsical conclusion, making the arrangement a perfect choice for a finale or encore to a holiday recital. Music videos performed by Anderson & Roe can be found on www.andersonroe.com. A Federation Festivals 2024-2028 selection.
The Anderson & Roe Duos & Duets series features inspiring arrangements as performed by the duo---from settings of treasured opera melodies to medleys of popular movie music. The pieces are edited with fingering and other directions that facilitate rehearsal and performance, making them accessible for advancing students as well as for concert performers.
Sleigh Ride: A Holiday Excursion offers an audience-pleasing rendition of Leroy Anderson's timeless classic. The opening of this arrangement presents the iconic main theme with playful staccato notes interrupted by flashes of sparkling passagework. As the excitement builds, the players exchange jiving rhythms, percussive chords, and dazzling glissandos. Just when the sleigh ride is about to end, a few musical surprises bring this lively duo to a whimsical conclusion, making the arrangement a perfect choice for a finale or encore to a holiday recital. Music videos performed by Anderson & Roe can be found on www.andersonroe.com. A Federation Festivals 2024-2028 selection.
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Additional Details
Series:
Anderson & Roe Duos & Duets
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
16
SKU:
00-PB-0000716
More about this title
About the Composer: Leroy Anderson
Leroy Anderson (1908-1975) composed light orchestral works that became cornerstones of American popular classical music. His gift for accessible melody, rhythmic vitality, and orchestral color earned him a devoted following; his pieces remain frequent recital staples and holiday season fixtures across concert halls and radio stations worldwide.
Why we love this
Anderson and Roe's arrangement captures the infectious energy of the original while giving both players genuine musical stakes. The interplay between the two pianos creates rhythmic momentum and textural variety that keeps audiences engaged; the finale's surprises and glissandos guarantee a memorable conclusion to any holiday program.
What to expect
Exuberant and playful, this sleigh ride sparkles with rhythmic precision and pianistic flair. The conversation between the two pianos feels like a musical conversation; moments of glissanding abandon punctuate the driving, percussive passages, building toward a conclusion that surprises and delights.
Who it's for
Advanced pianists preparing a holiday recital or concert will find this arrangement rewarding to rehearse and exciting to perform. The piece works equally well for two advancing students eager to explore the piano duo repertoire or for experienced performers seeking to add contemporary artistry to a seasonal program.
How to get the most out of it
- Nail the staccato articulation in the opening theme; crisp, bouncy attacks set the tone for the entire piece and let the sparkling passagework shine through.
- Coordinate the rhythmic exchanges carefully during the middle section. A metronome helps lock the "jiving rhythms" together, but listen across both pianos rather than relying solely on count.
- The glissandos demand confidence and smooth hand positioning. Practice the approach and exit notes separately before linking the full gesture.
- Finesse the whimsical conclusion by treating the musical surprises as dramatic punctuation rather than afterthoughts; let them land with personality.
How to use it
Reserve this for your holiday recital finale or encore, where its audience appeal and virtuosic energy will send listeners home in high spirits. It pairs naturally with other classical pops and light concert repertoire, and the 16-page length makes it substantial enough to anchor a program section without overwhelming other pieces.
Skills your students will build
- Coordinating rhythmic independence across two instruments
- Executing staccato articulation with precision and character
- Performing glissandos with control and musical intention
- Balancing textural clarity when both pianos carry active material
- Collaborating on tempo and ensemble unity as a duo