11/07/2025
https://youtu.be/9k7etV8xjVI?si=xspUKmETZMFmBabb
SONG TO THE MOON
Transcribed and Arranged by Ward Miller
Based on the fairy tales of Karel Jaromir Erben and Bozena Nemcova, Antonin Dvořák's opera Rusalka is the most popular and oft-performed Czech opera in circulation. The libretto was written by Jaroslav Kvapil, and the opera was composed in 1900. This particular aria is sung by the title character, Rusalka. The daughter of a water-goblin, Rusalka wants nothing more than to be human after she fell in love with a hunter prince who frequents the lake in which she lives. Rusalka sings this song asking for the moon to show her love to the Prince.
This transcription is written for reduced instrumentation wind ensemble. All parts should be played by only one performer, with no doubling. The first verse of the aria is performed by a solo flugelhorn, to be played throughout the work by the first trumpet. The second verse is performed by a solo alto sax, to be joined by solo voices in the first clarinet, flugelhorn, and first euphonium. The closing solo statement is once again taken up by the flugelhorn. It should be noted that the solo lines are marked with articulations matching the original Czech lyrics, and should therefore be played in a sempre legato, but articulated, style. When this line in doubled in ensemble parts, they may have slurs marked, but this should not change the solo articulations. Conductors should feel free to have soloists stand throughout the performance. The harp part is obbligato, but if a harpist is not available, it may be performed on a synthesizer with a realistic harp sound.
Transcribed and Arranged by Ward MillerBased on the fairy tales of Karel Jaromir Erben and Bozena Nemcova, Antonin Dvořák's opera Rusalka is the most popular...
