The arrangement of the Barcarole was one of the trickiest we have tackled to date. Our first use of the ocarina is but one indication that a primarily percussion approach would not fit the more lyrical elements of the piece. Getting an acceptable balance of harp and steel drum on the pizzicato line was also trickier than expected. But perseverance was rewarded by a sound which strongly evokes the starry Venetian night in which the Tales of Hoffmann are set.
The Can Can was a much more straight forward adaptation with just enough novelty to make you listen afresh to a very familiar tune.
The Promenade was problematic for different reasons. The arrangement included a bass and drum kit. So far we have kept to original scores and this is a bit of a departure. The bass part fitted in well, supporting the momentum of the piece in the second half and on balance we decided to retain the drum kit. It would not be out of place in a modern musical theatre and seemed to heighten the drama. It also ends rather abruptly but of course it is an excerpt from the introduction to Orpheus in the Underworld and so we decided to retain it rather than discard.
The Can Can was a much more straight forward adaptation with just enough novelty to make you listen afresh to a very familiar tune.
The Promenade was problematic for different reasons. The arrangement included a bass and drum kit. So far we have kept to original scores and this is a bit of a departure. The bass part fitted in well, supporting the momentum of the piece in the second half and on balance we decided to retain the drum kit. It would not be out of place in a modern musical theatre and seemed to heighten the drama. It also ends rather abruptly but of course it is an excerpt from the introduction to Orpheus in the Underworld and so we decided to retain it rather than discard.