Shepherd’s Song

by Ludwig van Beethoven; arr. Brian Slawson

Medium Concert Percussion

14 Players

Instrumentation:

• Crotales
• Glockenspiel
• Xylophone
• Chimes
• Vibraphone
• 6 marimbas—(1) 4-octave, (2) low A, (3) low C*

*Shared

It’s hard to imagine that Ludwig van Beethoven’s delicate and good-natured Pastoral Symphony (No. 6) was composed at the same time (1807-08) as his rambunctious blockbuster Fifth Symphony … not to mention they were both premiered at the same concert! Opening with the most recognizable four-note riff in the history of music, Beethoven’s Fifth steamrolls its way through a tumultuous path of fate, fire, and fury while his Pastoral Symphony gently communicates his fondness for walks through the countryside and his love of nature.

The final movement,'”Shepherd’s Song: Happy and Grateful Feelings after the Storm”, is a remarkably joyful work, and through a large orchestration of mallet instruments, Brian Slawson creates a unique and crowd-pleasing way for percussion ensembles to communicate with sensitivity and richness.

In addition to the printed score you are receiving downloadable:

✅ Individual Parts
✅ Full Recording