Suite Concertante: String Orchestra Oversized Score

$47.00 USD

Suite Concertante: String Orchestra Oversized Score

Name: Suite Concertante: String Orchestra Oversized Score
Brand: Alfred Music
SKU: 36-A502801OS
Price: 47.00 USD
Availability: OutOfStock

By Alfred Reed

Item: 36-A502801OS

$47.00

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SUITE CONCERTANTE was originally written for an orchestra of eight celli and double bass, and the work was premiered on April 19th, 1970 in this form. Some years later, Alfred Reed re-scored the second movement of this five-movement work for string orchestra and harp, and this version was premiered in 1976 with Dr. Lucas Drew conducting the Bicentennial Chamber Orchestra of Miami. Then, in 1981, Lucas Drew, now president of the American String Teachers Association (ASTA), revisited the work, suggesting to Alfred Reed that he re-score the remaining four movements also for string orchestra, though the harp is omitted for those movements. It is this work for string orchestra, with harp included in the 2nd movement, that is available here from the publisher. The music consists of five individual movements of widely varying character, with no special thematic interconnections between them other than the fact that the fourth movement, "Chorale," was designed to lead directly into the fifth, and, in its closing measures, foreshadows the main theme of the movement to come. Movements: I. Prelude and Fugue, II. Siciliana Notturno, III. Scherzando Espagnole, IV. Chorale, V. Toccata La Rocca. String count of 8-8-5-5-5 included in the set. 11x14 score.

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Series: Kalmus Oversized Score Library

Publisher: Keiser Productions, Inc.

ISBN10: 8-88-852267-0

ISBN13: 979-8-88-852267-7

UPC: 676737555207

SKU: 36-A502801OS

Instrumentation: Instrumentation: Harp: Str(8-8-5-5-5 in set)

More about this title

About the Composer: Alfred Reed

Alfred Reed (1921-2005) was a prolific composer, conductor, and educator whose works span band, orchestra, and chamber music. His compositions are known for their craftsmanship, accessibility, and dramatic appeal, making them staples in educational and professional settings. Reed's career included positions as conductor of the Laredo Philharmonic Orchestra and composer-in-residence at the University of Miami, where he wrote extensively for young musicians while maintaining a sophisticated compositional voice.

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Why we love this

Reed's willingness to revisit and re-score this work across multiple decades shows a composer genuinely invested in serving the string orchestra medium. The five contrasting movements offer directors a complete concert work that can stand alone or anchor a program, and the orchestration is both idiomatic and transparent enough to engage players without requiring virtuosic specialists.

What to expect

The Suite spans moods from contrapuntal elegance and nocturnal lyricism through rhythmic Iberian color and stately harmony, landing finally in a virtuosic flourish. Each movement stands distinct in character yet the whole feels deliberately curated, like movements through different emotional territories without losing compositional coherence.

Who it's for

String orchestra directors seeking a substantial concert work with five movements of genuine variety. This oversized score serves ensembles with reasonable sectional strength (8-8-5-5-5) that want to program something beyond the typical lightweight or purely Baroque-inspired repertoire.

How to get the most out of it

Balance the Prelude and Fugue by ensuring the fugal entries come through clearly; resist the urge to let the opening strings overwhelm the developing counterpoint.
In the Siciliana Notturno, shape the harp part as an integral voice rather than decorative accompaniment; it carries harmonic weight and should register distinctly in the mix.
The Scherzando Espagnole relies on rhythmic precision and character; lock the bowing and articulation across sections so the Spanish inflections land with style rather than appearing sloppy.
Connect the Chorale directly to the Toccata La Rocca without pause, honoring Reed's intent for the two movements to function as a single dramatic arch.

How to use it

Program the complete Suite as a centerpiece concert work, or use it strategically across multiple concerts by pairing individual movements with contemporary or standard repertoire. The range of styles makes it valuable for winter or spring concerts where you need material that demonstrates ensemble versatility.

Skills your students will build

Reading and executing counterpoint in the Prelude and Fugue
Balancing accompaniment textures with melodic lines, especially with harp integration
Rhythmic precision and stylistic articulation in Spanish idiom
Sustaining long-lined phrasing in the Chorale and managing dynamic control
Rapid passage work and ensemble coordination in the Toccata