Printed set (Score & Parts)
[Part 1] Piccolo, Flute, Oboe, Violin, Eb Clarinet, Bb Clarinet, Bb Soprano Saxophone, Bb Trumpet
[Part 2] Flute, Oboe, English Horn, Eb Clarinet, Bb Clarinet, Bb Soprano Saxophone, Eb Alto Saxophone, Bb Trumpet, Violin
[Part 3] English Horn, Bb Clarinet, Eb Alto Saxophone, Bb Tenor Saxophone, Bb Trumpet, F Horn, Viola
[Part 4] Eb Alto Clarinet, Bb Bass Clarinet, Eb Alto Saxophone, Bb Tenor Saxophone, Eb Baritone Saxophone, Bassoon, F Horn, Trombone, Euphonium, Violoncello
[Part 5] Bb Bass Clarinet, Eb Baritone Saxophone, Bassoon, Bass Trombone, Euphonium, Tuba, String Bass
[Timpani (optional) ]
[Percussion 1] (optional) Glockenspiel, Triangle, Tambourine, Suspended Cymbal
[Percussion 2] (optional) Triangle, Suspended Cymbal, Wind Chimes, Snare Drum, Tambourine, Glockenspiel, Xylophone
Based on "The Little Prince" by Antoine de Saint-Exupery, a long time best-seller enjoyed by children and adults the world over.
An image of the scene is added to the subtitle of each of the three sections (movements). These movements may be played consecutively in attacca if possible, or may be treated individually with pause.
The main motif is a string of three notes [G-B♭-C], which is the text of 6,1 and 2 of B minor, after the name of the prince's asteroid "B 612". You can find them anywhere in the piece.
It is reminiscent of the six planets the prince visited, the seventh (earth) final destination, and the inhabitants of each planet. As a musical trick, the first star is in one with one ♭, the second star is in two with two ♭♭, and so on. You can use this for variation of meter and harmony practice.
The ideal ensemble intended by the composer is five parts (1 person each) + 1 percussionist. In this case, prioritize for percussion. By doing so, you leave a section in charge of the solo line in the six parts 1-5+8. If you have two percussionists, please add . Small band formations with more people also work, and by adding with three percussion parts, increase the number of people in Parts 1-5 for better balance.
When playing with small band, each part can be duplicated by multiple instruments, but in that case, for example, only by woodwind, brass, or saxophones alone, Try changing the density at each rehearsal number. The standard combination is written as [-only] on the score. Although not limited to this, please assemble with reference to these.
In addition, since parts for stringed instruments are included, it is possible to play only string ensemble or a mixed formation of wind and string instruments. Hopefully you will enjoy experimenting with many possibilities.
(Hidetoshi Takumi)
