Tango Lullaby for Orchestra: Full Orchestra, Ensemble Works Solo Part

$3.00 USD

Tango Lullaby for Orchestra: Full Orchestra, Ensemble Works Solo Part

Name: Tango Lullaby for Orchestra: Full Orchestra, Ensemble Works Solo Part
Brand: Alfred Music
SKU: 36-A600699
Price: 3.00 USD
Availability: InStock

By Don Gillis

Item: 36-A600699

$3.00

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Written by American composer Don Gillis (1912-1978), the Tango Lullaby (1956) was originally meant to be a movement of a ballet called Twinkletoes that Gillis abandoned because he discovered that the story had been done previously. The composer repurposed the music in a Suite from Twinkletoes, and this single movement has been extracted here. This dance-work would be a wonderful addition to any pops-style program. Instrumentation: 2.2.2+BCl.2: 3Sax(AAT): 4.3.3.1: Perc(1-2): Pno(Clst): Str (9-8-7-6-5 in set).

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Series: Kalmus Orchestra Library

Publisher: Keiser Productions, Inc.

ISBN10: 1-63-887701-7

ISBN13: 978-1-63-887701-1

UPC: 735816328467

SKU: 36-A600699

Instrumentation: Full Orchestra, Ensemble Works

More about this title

About the Composer: Don Gillis

Don Gillis (1912-1978) was an American composer, conductor, and educator whose catalog spans symphonies, band works, film scores, and popular music for orchestra. Working across both concert hall and commercial contexts, he developed a distinctive voice that blended accessibility with serious compositional craft, making him a natural bridge between classical and popular audiences. His prolific output includes numerous works written for film, television, and radio, alongside concert pieces that remain valuable repertoire for orchestras seeking American mid-century music with genuine melodic appeal.

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Why we love this

This piece brings genuine charm and rhythmic vitality to a pops concert without requiring the orchestra to sacrifice musicality. The tango idiom gives your strings and winds a chance to dance rather than march, and the orchestration is smart enough to keep every section engaged without overwhelming the texture. It's the kind of work that reminds audiences why they love live orchestra music.

What to expect

The piece captures the languorous grace of a tango waltz, with the gentle melancholy of a lullaby running through its DNA. Beneath the lyrical surface sits a propulsive, rhythmic foundation that keeps the music moving with understated sophistication; it never feels static despite its unhurried pacing.

Who it's for

This work suits orchestras programming pops concerts, summer outdoor festivals, or gala events where you want to include substantial repertoire alongside lighter fare. It's equally at home in a concert setting with a full symphony orchestra or in smaller professional ensemble configurations, making it flexible for various performance venues and budgets.

How to get the most out of it

Balance the melodic voices within the ensemble carefully; with this instrumentation, inner lines can easily disappear. Check that second violins and violas carry their material clearly, especially in dialogue moments.
Establish the tango rhythm in the rhythm section (piano, percussion, bass) as your foundation. Lock the pulse there first, then layer the wind and string lines on top.
Lean into the lyrical quality of the melodic writing. The word 'lullaby' in the title is deliberate; avoid rushing the phrasing even within the dance rhythm.
Use the full color palette of your saxophones and the brightness of your brass strategically. Gillis doesn't ask for constant fortissimo; let dynamics shape the narrative.

How to use it

Program this as a palate-cleanser between a standard symphonic work and a full-throttle finale, or pair it with other American twentieth-century pops-style pieces to create a thematic programming block. Its moderate length and accessible character make it ideal for opening a second half or concluding a lighter-themed concert on a graceful note.