Pictures at an Exhibition - The Gnome - Mussorgsky arr. Alun Cook

These arrangements of movements from Mussorgsky's "Pictures at an Exhibition" aim to fill the gaps in what has already been written for Wind Band. Other versions have movements missing or suddenly go into bizarre keys (a semitone difference from the original between two movements that are supposed to segue)! It is pretty difficult for anyone to claim that they haven't been influence by the Ravel orchestration, but I have tried to set that aside and work from the original piano score.

The Gnome is a difficult beast, both for the musicians to negotiate the awkward twisting phrasing, and for the conductor to control the starting and stopping and create a feeling of suspense.

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		Hard

Pictures at an Exhibition - Baba Yaga - Mussorgsky arr. Alun Cook

These arrangements of movements from Mussorgsky's "Pictures at an Exhibition" aim to fill the gaps in what has already been written for Wind Band. Other versions have movements missing or suddenly go into bizarre keys (a semitone difference from the original between two movements that are supposed to segue)! It is pretty difficult for anyone to claim that they haven't been influence by the Ravel orchestration, but I have tried to set that aside and work from the original piano score.

Baba Yaga is not a pleasant character. The slavic myths vary but generally portrays an evil grandmother who flies through the air in a mortar using a pestle as a rudder (she lives in the Hut on Chickens legs - another movement of Pictures). Snarling and nasty! The piece goes straight into the next movement (Great Gate of Kiev) as you will hear on the MP3.

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		Hard

Pictures at an Exhibition - Great Gate of Kiev - Mussorgsky arr. Alun Cook

These arrangements of movements from Mussorgsky's "Pictures at an Exhibition" aim to fill the gaps in what has already been written for Wind Band. Other versions have movements missing or suddenly go into bizarre keys (a semitone difference from the original between two movements that are supposed to segue)! It is pretty difficult for anyone to claim that they haven't been influence by the Ravel orchestration, but I have tried to set that aside and work from the original piano score.

This is an exhausting blow, but very popular with audiences and the climax of Mussorgsky's parade of pictures.

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		Not hard, just exhausting

Clarinet Carillon - Alun Cook

A showpiece for Clarinet with Wind Band accompaniment. I had intended the solo part to be of about Grade 6 standard but it has turned out to be rather harder, but it is definitely fun to play. The band accompaniment includes plenty of cues for missing instruments, and having a good xylophone player is an advantage. Clarinet Carillon is also available for Clarinet and Piano. The MP3 (at the moment) is just a midi recording but because of the limitations of some sound cards, it may give a better idea of how the piece should sound.

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		Hard		Also available in a version for Clarinet and Piano

Boris Goes to Dublin - Alun Cook

"Boris" has a challenging solo part and is written as an "audience friendly" showpiece for Alto Saxophone and Wind Band. The band parts are well cued as bands vary in size, and could be played by quite a small ensemble. If you have full band you may need to lighten the scoring in places. The solo part is a good Grade 8 (UK) standard. The band parts are not excessively difficult. It can also be found on this site as a concert piece with piano and in an arrangement for Saxophone Octet. The MP3 file has a "live" saxophonist playing with a synthesized accompaniment but it gives a good feel for the piece.

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		Hard		Also available for with Piano Accompaniment and for Saxophone Octet

Horn and Hounds - Alun Cook

This is a show piece for French Horn and Band but it is not very difficult. Aimed at the developing player you might think of it as a junior "Hunter's Moon". The band parts are well cued so you can do without the more unusual instruments.

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		Moderate