Ian Deterling

Habanera

Habanera (Georges Bizet)

  • flexible instrumentation

    • Grade 3

  • string orchestra

  • brass quintet, clarinet quintet, flute ensemble, saxophone ensemble

  • ca. 2:00

Score Preview for Flexible Instrumentation

Program Notes

Composed by Georges Bizet. Arranged by Ian Deterling.

  • Habanera (L’amour set un oiseau rebelle) is an aria from Georges Bizet’s 1875 opéra comique Carmen. Bizet, a French composer (1838-1875), took the now famous melody from what he believed to be a folk song. The melody was actually written by Sebastián Iradier (1809-1865), a Spanish musicians and composer. Carmen was first performed in Paris in 1875 - shortly before Bizet’s death. Sadly, he was unaware that his work would quickly achieve international acclaim.  

  • Habanera begins in minor and changes to major in measure 20 (from Dm to D Major in the original; from Cm to C Major in this arrangement). Although the melody was borrowed, Bizet’s harmonic style, with the addition of the habanera rhythm, has made this aria incredibly popular and instantly recognizable to many. 

This adaptation is arranged into five parts plus percussion:

  • Part 1: Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Trumpet, Violin

  • Part 2: Clarinet, Trumpet, Alto Sax., Violin

  • Part 3: Tenor Sax., Clarinet, Alto Sax., Horn, Viola

  • Part 4: Tenor Sax., Euphonium (T.C.), Horn, Trombone, Euphonium, Bassoon, Cello

  • Part 5: Euphonium (T.C.), Bass Clarinet, Bari Sax., Trombone, Euphonium, Bassoon, Cello, Contrabass, Tuba

  • Bass Drum

  • Tambourine

  • Triangle

  • Mallet Percussion

  • Timpani (2 drums)

  • All instrument ranges stay within Grade 3 literature.

  • Score and complete set of parts

    • Note - this arrangement has been transposed from the keys of D Minor and D Major to C Minor and C Major.

Score Preview for String Orchestra

Instrumentation:

  • Violin I

  • Violin II

  • Viola

  • Cello

  • Contrabass

Score Previews for Chamber Ensembles

Instrumentation for Chamber Ensembles

  • Brass Quintet

    • Bb Trumpet 1, 2

    • Horn in F

    • Trombone

    • Tuba

  • Clarinet Quintet

    • Bb Clarinet 1-4

    • Bass Clarinet

  • Flute Ensemble

    • Flute 1-4

    • Alto Flute

    • Bass Flute (optional)

  • Saxophone Ensemble

    • Soprano Saxophone

    • Alto Saxophone 1, 2

    • Tenor Saxophone

    • Baritone Saxophone

    • Bass Saxophone (optional)