Selections from Tchaikovsky's THE NUTCRACKER for alto sax duet

by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Mark Phillips

Ten gems from Tchaikovsky’s ballet “The Nutcracker,” arranged for intermediate-level alto sax duet. Includes Overture, The Magic Castle in the Land of Sweets, March, Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy, Russian Dance, Arabian Dance, Chinese Dance, Dance of the Reed Flutes, Waltz of the Flowers, and Pas de Deux.

24 pages, Paperback

Published December 23, 2019

About the author

Pyotr Il'yich Tchaikovsky (Russian: Петр Ильич Чайковский) was a Russian composer of the Romantic era. While not part of the nationalistic music group known as "The Five", Tchaikovsky wrote music which was distinctly Russian: plangent, introspective, with modally-inflected melody and harmony.

Tchaikovsky considered himself a professional composer. He felt his professionalism in combining skill and high standards in his musical works separated him from his colleagues in "The Five." He shared several of their ideals, including an emphasis on national character in music. His aim, however, was linking those ideals with a professional standard high enough to satisfy European criteria. His professionalism also fueled his desire to reach a broad public, not just nationally but internationally, which he would eventually do.