Two Italian Dances Cover Image

Two Italian Dances: String Orchestra Conductor Score & Parts

$45.00 USD
Sale price  $45.00 USD Regular price 
Skip to product information
Two Italian Dances Cover Image

Two Italian Dances: String Orchestra Conductor Score & Parts

By Bernardo Pasquini / arr. Deborah Baker Monday

Grade: 2

Item: 98-ST6377

makemusic Cloud badge

Need it now?

Buy Digital Version
$45.00
Shipped

One moment…

Description
These two lively dances come from a collection of keyboard pieces by Italian composer Pasquini. The music is very rich and all instruments have melodically interesting roles. An excellent choice for concert or festival, and also ideal as a change of pace in your program.

Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Two Italian Dances: String Orchestra Conductor Score & Parts comes alive with professional accompaniment, adjustable tempo, and built-in practice tools that turn solo practice into real progress.

Sample Pages

Sample Audio
0:00
0:00
Sample Video
Additional Details
Series: FJH Developing Strings
Publisher: The FJH Music Company, Inc.
UPC: 674398233892
SKU: 98-ST6377

More about this title

About the Composer: Bernardo Pasquini

Bernardo Pasquini (1637-1710) was a dominant figure in Italian keyboard music during the Baroque era. His extensive catalog of harpsichord and organ works established him as a major composer of the period, and his music circulated widely throughout Europe, influencing keyboard composition well into the 18th century.

Pasquini's keyboard writing is characterized by graceful melodic lines, sophisticated harmonic language, and clear structural forms. His dances and character pieces remain valuable models for understanding Italian musical style, and his work continues to reward modern arrangements that bring his elegant musical ideas to new ensembles.

Why we love this

Deborah Baker Monday has created an arrangement that preserves the melodic integrity of Pasquini's original keyboard writing while distributing the musical interest across the entire string section. Every player gets genuinely engaging material instead of accompanying; this keeps rehearsals active and performances energetic. The Grade 2 accessibility combined with authentic Baroque style makes this a refreshing addition to any concert without requiring advanced technical facility.

What to expect

Bright, courtly, and full of character. These dances have the refinement and grace typical of Italian Baroque style, with clear harmonic progressions that give the music direction and life. Even at a moderate tempo, the lively rhythms and ornamental melodic figures create a sense of elegance and forward motion.

Who it's for

String orchestras at the intermediate level who want to program Baroque music without requiring soloistic technical demands. This works equally well for middle school festivals, high school youth orchestras, or community string ensembles looking to expand beyond standard contemporary repertoire.

How to get the most out of it

  • Shape each phrase with careful attention to the melodic line; these dances come from keyboard music, so aim for singing, connected phrasing even at the faster tempo.
  • Balance the parts so that when melodic material passes between instruments, the ear can follow the conversation clearly.
  • Keep articulation crisp and rhythmic. Italian dance character depends on rhythmic precision and clean attack, especially in the quicker passages.
  • Use the conductor score to mark which instruments carry the primary melodic idea in each section, then rehearse those entrances with special attention to ensemble clarity.

How to use it

These pieces work beautifully as a change of pace, especially when surrounded by heavier Romantic or modern works. Consider pairing them as a contrasting set in the middle of a concert, or use one as an opening number to establish an energetic, stylistically adventurous tone for the program.

Skills your students will build

  • Baroque style and phrasing (legato articulation within period context)
  • Part independence (each voice carries melodic material in turn)
  • Rhythmic precision in duple and compound meters
  • Dynamic control and balance across the ensemble
  • Listening for and following melodic ideas across instrument groups

You May Also Like