Belle of the Ball for Orchestra [Alf:36-A910399]

Like most of Leroy Anderson's efforts, "Belle of the Ball" is light, effervescent, and devoid of conflict or disharmony. Anderson looked upon the piece as a modern-day American revival -- or revitalization -- of the Viennese waltz tradition. Having said that, the main theme sounds rather unlike a Strauss waltz, but the voice of Tchaikovsky is evident in its playful, fantasy-like character. The melody is rhythmic and comes in short groups of notes, beginning with two notes, then three, then expanding further; the music skates along elegantly. The middle section features a delightful variation on the theme, in which Anderson's gentle belled sonorities impart a playful innocence. An American Pops classic in it's original scoring, this work is part of the Anderson Classics Series by E.F. Kalmus. Instrumentation: 2+Picc.2.2.2: 2ASax.Tsax: 4.3.3.1: Perc(3): Str (9-8-7-6-5 in set). A piano conductor/condensed score only is included in the set. A version by the composer for band is also available.