About the Piece
Instrumentation: String Orchestra
Duration: 7 min
Program Note:
Friedrich Wilhelm I of Prussia was a dedicated man to the military. His daughter, the gifted amateur composer Anna Amalia, Princess of Prussia, wrote several marches for military regimental bands, a genre rarely adopted by women composers. Today she is more remembered for her music library collection, the “Amalien Bibliothek,” which still exists in its entirety, than her musical compositions. The extensive collection of works by contemporary German composers, including C.P.E. Bach, Handel, Telemann and J.S. Bach, is credited helping revive the music of J.S. Bach.
Conductor’s Perspective
Four short marches for strings in a style similar to Haydn’s. Technically not difficult and very approachable. Parts are printed for strings only, but it’s recommended to add some winds to alternate with strings, and also timpani.
Performing all four marches might be a bit dry, but including one or two would be very doable for younger string orchestras.
About the Composer
Anna Amalia of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel (24 October 1739 – 10 April 1807), was a German princess and composer. She became the duchess of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach, by marriage, and was also regent of the states of Saxe-Weimar and Saxe-Eisenach from 1758 to 1775. She transformed her court and its surrounding into the most influential cultural center of Germany. (taken from wikipedia)
Performance Materials
Score and Parts Purchase on Luck’s Music (very affordable)
Duration: around 7 minutes
Instrumentation: Strings
Recording
Recording on YouTube by the Georgia Tech Symphony Orchestra