Strauss, J :: Tales from the Vienna Woods

Musicians Publications presents Johann Strauss' 'Tales from the Vienna Woods' arranged for Woodwind Quartet by Bill Holcombe and Bill Holcombe Jr. Scored for flute, oboe, clarinet, and bassoon, this arrangement also includes a bass clarinet part to substitute for the bassoon when desired.

'Like most of Strauss s instrumental compositions, 'Tales from the Vienna Woods' offers a succession of dances. Building on the formulas developed by his father and Joseph Lanner, another illustrious predecessor, Strauss used a similar structure for most of his mature pieces: an introduction that leads to five or six waltzes followed by a coda. The introduction of 'Vienna Woods' is one of Strauss s longest and most evocative, setting the scene, quite literally, for what follows. Over sustained fifths in the horns, the solo oboe and then clarinet present a lilting start that quickly becomes more excited. After a solo cello passage and virtuoso flute cadenza, solo strings begin to play a Landler dance. This intimate scene leads to a series of five waltzes (most with repeated sections) that forms the bulk of the piece. The intimate and now rather nostalgic solo string passage returns for the coda, capped by five loud chords.'

- Christopher H. Gibbs, 2016