Popular Choral Works with Reduced Scoring in the Orchestral Parts

Home Page

The Problem with Full Scores

After a performance by a choral society, one often hears a comment like,

"A lovely concert but the orchestra was too loud"

There is only so much orchestral players can do to help. Play a wind instrument too softly and you lose the character and quality of the instrument.

There is also the problem of fitting the choir and orchestra into smaller venues not to mention the strain on society budgets hiring good orchestral players.

A Solution

These popular choral works are scored for a reduced orchestra helping to solve the problem.

The composers include ...

• Haydn
• Mendelssohn
• Mozart
• Verdi
• Fauré (but this is not quite ready yet)

The Creation now needs 10 fewer wind players. The reduced scoring requires 1 flute, 1 oboe, 1 clarinet, 2 bassoons (2nd with optional doubling on contrabassoon), 1 horn, 1 trumpet, Timpani and normal strings.

This version has been available since the summer of 2009 and has been successfully performed in the UK and abroad with very positive feedback.

The Seasons now needs 11 fewer wind players. The reduced scoring requires 1 flute, 1 oboe, 1 clarinet, 1 bassoon, 2 horns, 1 trumpet, percussion and timpani and normal strings.

Mozart's Requiem Mass. The 2 trumpet and 3 trombone parts have been reduced to 1 of each.
The full score is not provided. I just provide the trumpet and trombone parts for £20 + P & P.

Mendelssohn's Elijah now needs 10 fewer wind players. The reduced scoring requires 1 flute, 1 oboe, 2 clarinets, 1 bassoon, 1 horn, 1 trumpet, 1 trombone, timpani and normal strings (the organ part is provided but optional).

Verdi's Requiem now needs 11 fewer wind players. The scoring is for 1 flute (doubling on piccolo), 1 oboe, 2 clarinets, 2 bassoons, 2 horns, 2 trumpets, 2 off-stage trumpets, 1 trombone, 1 bass trombone, tuba, timpani, percussion and normal strings.

Fauré's Requiem now needs 12 fewer players. The scoring is for 2 clarinets, 2 bassoons, 2 horns, violins, double violas, double celli, and double bass. Optional timpani and organ parts will also be provided. This scoring is not quite finished yet though but will be ready soon.

For all these works, the re-scoring has been done with a light touch. Solos remain on the original instrument and the remaining parts have been adjusted to maintain the harmony and texture of the composer's original masterpiece. Vocal parts, timpani and strings are mostly unchanged.