The Waltzing Cat: Guitar Quartet Conductor Score & Parts
for Guitar Quartet
By Leroy Anderson / arr. Debbie Burford
Item: 00-PK-0009348
$14.99
Pickup currently not available
Buy Extra Parts (Digital PDF Download)
| Product | Price | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| The Waltzing Cat: Score | $7.00 | |
| The Waltzing Cat: Guitar 1 | $3.00 | |
| The Waltzing Cat: Guitar 2 | $3.00 | |
| The Waltzing Cat: Guitar 3 | $3.00 | |
| The Waltzing Cat: Guitar 4 | $3.00 |
Parts Added to Cart!
Description
Leroy Anderson's orchestral classic arranged for guitar quartet.
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Additional Details
SKU:
00-PK-0009348
More about this title
About the Composer: Leroy Anderson
Leroy Anderson (1908, 1975) built his reputation as one of America's finest composers of light orchestral music, crafting melodies that worked equally well in concert halls and on radio broadcasts. His gift lay in writing pieces that were thoroughly engaging for audiences while remaining musically substantive, music that didn't condescend to its listeners. Anderson's orchestrations were models of clarity and color, qualities that translate remarkably well to chamber settings like guitar quartet.
Why we love this
Arranging Anderson for guitar quartet is inspired; the wit and rhythmic precision that makes his orchestral writing tick actually shine brighter in a smaller ensemble where every voice carries weight. Your students get to inhabit a familiar, beloved piece while discovering that it demands real musical sensitivity and rhythmic coordination, not a dumbed-down version, but a genuine reframing of a classic.
What to expect
Elegant and whimsical, with the specific character of a cat in motion: graceful but with moments of sly humor and sudden shifts of direction. The waltz frame provides familiar harmonic ground while Anderson's orchestration ideas translate into colorful textural shifts across the four guitars.
Who it's for
Guitar quartet ensembles looking for repertoire that is playable, charming, and immediately satisfying to perform. This works equally well for student groups developing ensemble skills and for more experienced players seeking literature that prioritizes musicality over virtuosity.
How to get the most out of it
- Maintain a clear sense of pulse even during the waltz's gentler moments; Anderson's writing depends on rhythmic control to land the comedic touches that make the piece memorable.
- Balance the parts so that whichever guitarist carries the melody is clearly audible, but keep the harmonic voices present and voiced expressively rather than mechanically accompanying.
- Lean into the wit of the title and concept. The piece has humor built into its phrasing; let that come through in your articulation and rubato choices.
- Use dynamics across the quartet to shape phrases collectively. A single guitarist's dynamic swell won't carry as much weight; the ensemble needs to breathe and shape together.
How to use it
Program this as a short concert opener or lighter moment alongside more demanding repertoire. It works beautifully in chamber ensemble recitals, community concert settings, or educational showcases where you want to demonstrate that guitar quartet literature need not be austere or academic.
Skills your students will build
- Ensemble balance and voice independence in four-part texture
- Stylistic interpretation of light orchestral idioms adapted for guitar
- Collective phrasing and dynamic shaping across multiple players
- Clear articulation and rhythmic precision in waltz time