The Miraculous Mandarin, Op. 19/ Sz. 73: Suite Cover Image

The Miraculous Mandarin, Op. 19/ Sz. 73: Suite: Full Orchestra Conductor Score

$55.00 USD
$55.00 USD
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The Miraculous Mandarin, Op. 19/ Sz. 73: Suite Cover Image
The Miraculous Mandarin, Op. 19/ Sz. 73: Suite: Full Orchestra Conductor Score

The Miraculous Mandarin, Op. 19/ Sz. 73: Suite: Full Orchestra Conductor Score

(Der Wunderbare Mandarin)

By Béla Bartók

Item: 36-A933901
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The Miraculous Mandarin, Op. 19/ Sz. 73: Suite: Full Orchestra Conductor Score & Parts

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Description
Der Wunderbare Mandarin (The Miraculous Mandarin) is a suite adapted from Béla Bartók's (1881 -1945) pantomime ballet of the same name. The ballet was the last piece of music Bartók wrote that was intended for the stage. The ballet was in turn based on a Melchior Lengyel short story in which three men kidnap a young woman, bring her to a brothel, and force her to seduce three men, the last of which is the title's "Mandarin," who is eventually killed by the kidnappers. The controversial subject matter of the piece and the public's reaction to it convinced Bartók to rework his ballet into an orchestral suite, which premiered in Budapest in October 1928. Instrumentation: 3(2nd & 3rd Picc).3(3rd dEH).3(2nd dEb.3rd dBCl).3(3rd dCBsn): 4.3.3.1: Timp.Perc(4): Hp.Pno.Clst.Org: Str (9-8-7-6-5 in set). Reprint edition.

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Additional Details
Series: Kalmus Orchestra Library
Publisher: Keiser Productions, Inc.
ISBN10: 1-63-887982-6
ISBN13: 978-1-63-887982-4
UPC: 676737573058
SKU: 36-A933901
Instrumentation: 3(2nd&3rd dPicc).3(3rd dEH).3(2nd dEb.3rd dBCl).3(3rd dCBsn): 4.3.3.1: Timp.Perc(4): Hp.Pno.Clst.Org: Str (9-8-7-6-5 in set)

More about this title

About the Composer: Bela Bartok

Béla Bartók (1881, 1945) was a Hungarian composer and pianist whose harmonic language fundamentally expanded what orchestral music could express. He combined folk music research, collecting thousands of traditional melodies across Eastern Europe, with modernist techniques, creating a sound that was both rooted in place and urgently contemporary. His ballets and orchestral works remain essential to any conductor's repertoire because they demand technical precision while rewarding deep musical investment.

Bartók's stage works pushed against convention throughout his career. The Miraculous Mandarin represents the height of his ballet writing, showcasing orchestration that remains unmatched in its clarity and visceral impact. His willingness to pursue controversial subject matter and complex compositional language made him a model for composers who refused compromise.

Why we love this

Bartók's orchestration in this suite is a masterclass in instrumental color and rhythmic drive. The expanded percussion section and keyboard writing (piano, celesta, organ) create textural possibilities that feel modern even today, while the harmonic language, built from folk-influenced melodic cells and chromatic saturation, keeps the orchestra engaged throughout. Conductors return to this work because it rewards meticulous preparation with electrifying results.

What to expect

The suite unfolds with unsettling sensuality and brutal energy. Chromatic swells, sudden rhythmic shifts, and stark instrumental combinations create an atmosphere that swings between seductive languor and violent tension. Bartók's orchestration makes even moments of relative quiet feel dangerous.

Who it's for

This work belongs in the hands of orchestras with advanced technical facility and the maturity to handle dissonance and rhythmic complexity. Conductors preparing musicians for college-level performance or seeking a substantial 20th-century orchestral work will find exceptional pedagogical value here.

How to get the most out of it

  • Establish the pulse through the rhythm section early in rehearsals. The ostinatos that drive much of the suite need ensemble lock-in before tackling harmonic detail.
  • Balance the four percussionists carefully; Bartók layers them to create density, not blur. Isolate each player's part during sectional rehearsals.
  • Address the chromatic passages in the strings by having players mark fingerings collaboratively. Bartók's chromaticism rewards consistent execution across all sections.
  • Let the organ and celesta breathe in the quieter passages. These instruments often provide harmonic anchoring that the conductor's ear must hear clearly to keep ensemble cohesion.

How to use it

Position this as a centerpiece work on a concert exploring 20th-century orchestral innovation. It pairs compellingly with other Bartók orchestral music or with contemporary works that share his harmonic language. The suite's substantial length and demands make it suitable for a concert finale or a dedicated thematic program.

Skills your students will build

  • Reading and executing chromatic passages with intonational precision
  • Ensemble synchronization across asymmetrical rhythmic structures
  • Interpretation of Bartók's folk-influenced melodic shapes and harmonic language
  • Balancing complex percussion textures without sacrificing clarity
  • Understanding extended instrumental techniques and non-traditional sonorities in the orchestra

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