Ian Deterling

Blue Danube Saxophone Ensemble

The Blue Danube (Johann Strauss II)

  • saxophone ensemble

  • ca. 6:30 (with repeats); ca. 4:30 (without repeats/1st endings)

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Program Notes

Composed by Johann Strauss II. Arranged by Ian Deterling.

  • The Blue Danube (An Der schönen, blauen Donau) was written by Austrian composer Johann Strauss II (1825-1899). Originally composed in 1867 as a choral piece, Strauss adapted the piece for orchestra the same year. Known as the “waltz king,” The Blue Danube is one of Strauss’s best known works and features five different waltz themes linked one after another. This light-hearted work has been used in various films and television shows, making it become one of the world’s most recognizable pieces of music.

  • I made a number of alterations to make this piece more accessible:

    • There are many recordings of the original that have similar tempo changes. These changes aren't explicitly written in the score, so I included some in this arrangement (acce., rit., rall., più mosso, meno mosso....)

    • There are many repeats in this piece that can be omitted for a shorter performance:

      • With repeats: about 6'00"

      • Without repeats: about 4'30"

  • Instrumentation:

    • Sopranino Saxophone (optional; mostly doubles Soprano Saxophone)

    • Soprano Saxophone

    • Alto Saxophone 1-3 (Alto Saxophone 3 is optional; mostly doubles Tenor Saxophone)

    • Tenor Saxophone

    • Baritone Saxophone

    • Bass Saxophone (optional; mostly doubles Baritone Saxophone)

  • Score and complete set of parts.