Sinfonie Nr. 40 g-moll

This new arrangement for symphony orchestra preserves the atmosphere and charm of the original and is slightly shorter. The texturally skilful adaptation allows the work to be performed with just strings alone (in fact even with a string quartet).

The different levels of difficulty of the string parts take account of players’ varying abilities within the string section, thereby enabling beginners to much more advanced players to take part in a performance. It is only the parts for Violin I and Cello, however, which occasionally require playing in the upper positions. The viola can be replaced by a 3rd violin.

In addition to a full complement of strings, the arrangement allows the following wind instruments to be included: Woodwind I (flute), Woodwind II (oboe or flute), Woodwind III (clarinet), Woodwind IV (bassoon), Brass I and II (trumpet), Brass III (trombone or horn), Brass IV (trombone or horn and tuba). Further parts for timpani, triangle, cymbals, harp and piano put the finishing touches to the ensemble forces. If need be a keyboard can be used instead of the piano.

Although the 2nd movement has been written in half metre to make the music easier to read, this will have no effect on the performance itself.

The score is written in C while the parts in the parts book are transposed accordingly.

The piece is moderately difficult to perform.

The performance time is approx. 15 minutes. (1st movement: 4 min., 2nd movement: 4 min., 3rd movement: 2 min., 4th move­ment: 5 min.) – depending on the interpretation.

Arrangement: Thomas Stapf