The Winner Takes It All (from "Mamma Mia!" - The Motion Picture): Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts
By Benny Andersson / As performed by ABBA / Arranged by Paul Murtha
Grade: 1.5
Item: 35-PK00096673
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About the Composer: Benny Andersson
Benny Andersson co-founded ABBA in 1973 and became one of the most prolific songwriters in pop music history. His gift for crafting memorable melodies and sophisticated harmonic structures set ABBA apart from their contemporaries and made their catalog instantly recognizable across generations.
As a composer for stage and screen, Andersson has extended his reach far beyond the recording studio. His work on the "Mamma Mia!" musical and film adaptations demonstrates his ability to contextualize his own compositions within larger theatrical narratives, making him a valuable study for understanding how pop songwriting translates to ensemble performance.
Why we love this
Paul Murtha's arrangement captures the emotional weight of this ballad without overcomplicating it. A Grade 1.5 piece that sounds polished and concert-ready will engage both your ensemble and your audience, and this arrangement delivers exactly that. The two-minute duration fits perfectly into concert programming without feeling like filler.
What to expect
This is a song about looking back on a relationship with both tenderness and resignation. The arrangement honors that contemplative quality, allowing space around the melody so the sincerity comes through. You'll feel the restraint in the orchestration, which makes the moments when fuller texture arrives feel genuinely earned.
Who it's for
Bands seeking accessible concert repertoire with immediate audience appeal will find this arrangement exceptionally useful. It works equally well for groups building confidence in mixed-level ensembles and for programs that want to showcase how recognizable pop songwriting can hold its own in a concert setting.
How to get the most out of it
- Shape the melody with consistent phrase direction rather than forcing uniform dynamics; let the text and harmonic movement guide your expressive choices.
- Balance the accompaniment layers so the lead line emerges clearly without requiring the melody players to push beyond their natural weight.
- Establish a steady internal pulse early in rehearsal since the emotional impact depends on rubato being intentional, not accidental.
How to use it
Consider this piece as a bridge between your classical selections and something completely contemporary. It can anchor a concert section exploring film music, or serve as an intermission closer that leaves the audience in a reflective mood before you transition into your next program segment.
Skills your students will build
- Sustaining legato phrasing across longer melodic lines
- Reading and balancing multiple accompaniment textures simultaneously
- Interpreting rubato and expressive timing in pop-influenced harmony
- Blending within section while maintaining individual voice independence