Video:
Description:
Arranger's note:
Anitra's Dance is from the first Peer Gynt Suite, which Grieg extracted from his incidental music to Ibsen's play. Apparently, Anitra was the slender daughter of a Bedouin and her dance was intended to be quite delicate, so although this arrangement is definitely energetic, it also needs to be elegant.
Whilst this may present a stylistic challenge for four saxophones, there are no particular technical difficulties here. Grieg was dissatisfied with his work, taking two years to complete it, and amending it up until the last minute. Needless to say, I didn't agonise over my arrangement quite so long!
Reviews:
This well-known tune from Peer Gynt makes a great quartet in this energetic yet elegant arrangement. (Grade 5-6)
Music News, Wood Wind & Reed, May 2002