Rundel Video: Maskarade | Media center

Notes available at:
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Comic Opera Overture
The opera “Maskarade” by Danish composer Carl Nielsen is based on a classic theater comedy that Nielsen turned into a comic opera. Literary circles first were critical about this, but success proved Nielsen right – the opera became much more popular in Denmark than the theater version. Today it is even regarded as a kind of “Danish national opera”. Sadly, in most other countries the opera is totally unknown. The storyline tells of Leander and Leonora, who meet at a masquerade ball and fall deeply in love. Unfortunately both have been promised to someone else by their parents, causing vehement resistance of the two lovers. After various trials and tribulations they finally determine that Leander and Leonora have been promised to each other and the opera ends with everyone satisfied. The fastpaced, happy and light sounding overture of the opera “Maskarade” is very challenging for the musicians. Technically demanding passages require utmost concentration, fast fingers and precise coordination of interdepending parts. For the first time there is an arrangement for wind band – effectively orchestrated by Stefan Schwalgin. He masterfully transfers the tone colors of the original setting for symphony orchestra to the wind band. Schwalgin compares this process with the work of a painter, who looks at his model again and again and transfers what he sees to the canvas in thorough and rich detail.


Grade Level GB: 8+
Grade Level USA: 6 (Professional)
Composer: Nielsen, Carl
Arranger: Schwalgin, Stefan
Genre: Opening Piece, Classic, Classical Transcription, Concert Piece, Opera, Overture
Performance time: 00:05:10
Publisher: Rundel
Size: A4
Info: Full Score + Parts
Rundel Order Number: MVSR2966
Release Date: 2017