Old wish lists

Click here to see a compilation of suggestions so far (up to June 2017).

Older submissions archived below…

 

One thought on “Old wish lists”

  1. Norman Mills

    I know we have just done a Beethoven, but another vote for Beethoven 5 first and fourth movements, starting the fourth movement with the shimmering strings at the end of the third movement.

  3. Ernie Spencer

    What about a bit of Schumann, whom we have never played, I think.
    The Scherzo of the 3rd Symphony, has a great recurring tune, is in C and is marked to be played “very moderately” – looks ideal!

  4. Sarah Strachan

    I thoroughly enjoyed last season once again and am looking forward to the harp section doubling in size (hopefully) in the New Year. Anything with ‘harpy bits’ in it would be just great, so long as they aren’t too difficult- or can be rewritten!
    I also fancy
    Bruch’s Scottish Fantasy – I would love to use our links with RCS to find a student prepared to take the solo role
    Conga del Fuego – being modern, maybe the music for this isn’t freely available?
    Thanks to the librarians for all their hard work collating and storing the music for each season

    1. Sarah Strachan

      Just received some suggestions with good harp parts so that Louise doesn’t have to write them ( though big compliments from said teacher of Louise’s skills at writing harp parts!). The suggestions include any of Malcolm Arnold dances or
      Fantasie on Greensleeves.

      1. David Sinclair

        How about the first movement of Ma Vlast – wonderful harp part!
        The Conga del Fuego would be amazing and I think can be hired from Faber Music.

        1. admin Post author

          From Sue Reeve…
          I would back the suggestion of ‘Ma Vlast’. Not sure which part . I remember playing the bit with the lovely interwoven flute lines in rehearsal, but it never made it to the concert programme. Maybe a second airing ?
          Also the Bernstein overture to Candide.
          Sue

  5. jane macdiarmid

    A few suggestions:
    Overture to Orpheus in the Underworld – this was great the last time we did it. Think how much better we’ll be now!
    We’ve done 2 movements from Dvorak 9 – what about the whole symphony ?
    Mozart Sinfonia Concertante for violin, viola and orch is lovely. Perhaps our good friends from BBC SSO could do us the honour of solo parts.
    Beethoven 5 first movement ( and 4th movement)
    Festival overture Shostakovich
    Beethoven Prometheus overture
    Mozart Jupiter Symphony
    Mozart Symphony G minor KV550
    Mozart Magic Flute/Don Giovanni overture
    Strauss Die Fledermaus overture
    Film music for our younger audience ( or older!) John Williams, John Barry, Hans Zimmer.

  7. Joanna Gardner

    How about Rimsky Korsakov: Overture to “The Tsar’s Bride”? We could make it a Russian evening with at least part of Tchaikovski’s “Little Russian” symphony. (Sorry – can’t spell!)

  8. Karen Hunter

    What about:
    Land of the Mountain and the Flood?
    Radetsky March?
    Persian March by Strauss Jnr?
    Sibelius 5, last movement?
    Egmont?
    Something Russian that isn’t too fast and noodly?
    Something by Mozart?
    Chariots of fire theme?

  11. Lesley

    I’m probably not being very helpful here but I think I would have been able to sell more tickets for the end of year concerts if the repertoire had been a bit more Christmassy and dare I say a wee bit less formal from the audience perspective. Having said that I’m not sure what contribution I can make to the wish list on the back of that! My mum summed it up by saying that it’s nice to go to a concert in early December that gives you that warm feeling about Christmas coming up before the reality of shopping and preparation and family squabbles starts to take hold (perhaps that’s just our family!). She qualifies this though by saying that our concerts are always great!

    On an entirely different note, over the last few weeks every time I’ve been in my car Classic fm have played the Overture from Candide by Bernstein. Sounds pretty tricky, but loud and fun!

  12. Sarah Strachan

    A special request from one of the younger members of our audience (grandson Andrew)… please could we play the theme from Thunderbirds at one of our concerts.
    I gather that we have played it before,(during the BBC era) perhaps it would be a good encore, if we can get the music?

  13. Alison McIntosh

    Heard Schumann’s Symphony no.1 on Classic FM the other day – it sounded great! Really good melody & mix of orchestral instrumentation. Might be worth exploring & a different composer that I don’t think we’ve done thus far..?
    Alison

  14. Ernie Spencer

    I like the suggestions for playing Rienzi and Die Fledermaus Overtures and Capriccio Italien (though a bit challenging for cellos in parts !)
    Other possibilities might be Brahms’ Academic Festival Overture and Sibelius Symphony 2 (last movement) – BBCSSO did “Come and Play” involving this last a while ago.

    Looking forward to whatever we do next session, of course!

  15. admin Post author

    Goodmusic has some interesting stuff…

    Philip Lane: OLD CHRISTMAS MUSIC for orchestra
    Goodmusic Concert Originals GMCO114

    William Alwyn (1905-1985): SUITE OF SCOTTISH DANCES for Orchestra
    Concert Originals Series GMCO072

    ALBENIZ, Isaac (1860-1909): TANGO in D Op.165 No.2 (orch. Sir Malcolm Arnold)
    Concert Classics Series GMCL116

  16. Norman Mills

    We have never played Wagner so how about
    Rienzi Overture – Lots of light and shade and tempo changes.
    or
    Tannhauser Overture – Beautiful clarinet parts (not that I’m biased in any way!)
    or how about
    Strauss – Die Fledermaus Overture. (Since it’s the time of year for something Strauss)

  18. Jenny

    If it’s a Christmas concert we’re after how about John Rutter: Christmas Overture? Still under copyright though 🙁

  19. Alan

    “March of the Toys” from Babes in Toyland (Victor Herbert) – might be nice for kids at Christmas concert? Available on IMSLP

    Leopold Mozart “Toy Symphony” – winds may need to play “toy” parts

  20. Sarah Strachan

    I heard Greig’s tone poem, Wedding Day at Troldhaugen on the radio yesterday…it seemed to have a bit of something for everyone…would that be too difficult to tackle, I wonder?

  21. Judith

    You are quite right David, this is indeed a joy to behold. I sat in the pouring rain in Stirling beneath Stirling Castle in summer 2012 listening to Dudamel conduct the Simon Bolivar Orchestra sitting alongside the kids from Sistema Scotland’s Big Noise. It was the most moving concert I think I have ever attended!

  22. Gill Lever

    Thought the orchestra sounded fab on the 11th. Jenny (percussion/flute) has mentioned Prokofiev’s Romeo & Juliet and I would love to play this too. Perhaps Elgar’s Enigma Variations?

    1. David Sinclair

      Got to agree – Danzon would be fantastic! Think we’d also have a lot of fun with the Dances from Estancia by Ginastera.

  25. Jennifer Kenny

    Was wondering about film music of some description. ( although performance rights may be more of an issue as a lot of it is still under copyright)

  26. Kirsty Sanders

    Definitely a “yes” for something a bit more stimulating in the viola part! Would be good to have something to really sink the teeth into. Loved Sunday’s concert but there was lots of just chugging away which unfortunately occurred in every piece for us. Luck of the draw I suppose!

    1. russell ecob

      kirsty – I agree! I have asked my viola teacher for recommendations which she has given (including corialan!) and am passing them on to tony strachan. I can copy you in if you e mail me (it is long!0 Russell @ecob-consulting.com . cheers, russell

  27. Steven Millar

    Wagner – Lohengrin Vorspiel (Prelude to Act 1)

    Mozart- Overture from the Magic Flute

    Beethoven -Egmont Overture

    Grieg – Solveig’s Song

    Sibelius -Andante Festivo

  28. Lyndsey Cromar

    We seem to consistently attract a number of kids to our concerts, so why don’t we play a musical story such as Peter and the Wolf (which is available on IMSLP).

    Also, the John Williams Star Wars music would be fun to play, and a great crowd-pleaser.

    1. liza dimbleby

      Yes Peter and the Wolf – all or just the opening – would be very exciting. With a narrator even?

    2. Sarah Strachan

      This sounds like a really fun idea- either Peter and Wolf or possibly Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra… personally I love Peter! We usually have Alex as our continuity man, perhaps he would narrate for us too?

  34. Moira Mllar

    Went to hear National Live Theatre Concert by the Berlin Philharmonic. Loved the Jean-Philiope Rameau Les Indes Gallant. Great fun for Percussion.

  35. Tony Strachan

    I have heard that the Violas would like something a bit more challenging for them next season. A professional viola player has suggested Berlioz’s Roman Carnival overture to satisfy this suggestion. Any takers?

    1. russell ecob

      I agree that something more demanding for the excellent and talented viola section to excel in would be great. The Berlioz suits the bill! I second this suggestion.

  36. Sarah Strachan

    Has any opera music been considered? I think there is a Carmen fantasy- foot stamping and well known tunes, plenty of quieter passages and contrasting tutti pieces. It’s on imslp too!

  37. Gib FitzGibbon

    The Glasgow Senior Citizens’ Orchestra has just started practising John Glenesk Mortimer’s arrangement of Lascia ch’io pianga from Handel’s Rinaldo, called “Farinelli”. Definitely worth a look!

  38. liza dimbleby

    I would really like to return to that last movement of Britten’s young persons guide to the Orchestra where we split into two different timings; that Louise said we might go back to one day.. lovely cacophonies.

  40. Tony Strachan

    We haven’t done much Brahms. (Symphony No 1 Finale only I think, so far). What about the Serenade No 1 (or part thereof?) It’s available on IMSLP. I also like the idea of the Coriolan Overture (Beethoven)

  41. Norman Mills

    For a winter concert how about something bright and breezy.
    Franz von Suppé – Overture from “Morning,Noon and Night in Vienna.
    or
    Franz von Suppé – Light Cavalry Overture
    or
    Strauss – Die Fledermaus Overture.
    or maybe a little waltz
    Strauss – On The Beautiful Blue Danube.

  42. Alison McIntosh

    Having just listened to the cracker that is Mozart’s ‘Marriage of Figaro’ Overture on Classic FM en route to work, it’s a really uplifting piece. As are Beethoven’s ‘Eroica’ Symph or his ‘Coriolan’ Overture. Some of the movements from Prokofiev’s Romeo & Juliet suite could be worth a bash…

  43. Allison

    What about a Mozart symphony? Jupiter? If we’ve got all winter to work on it with the concert not till January, would we have time to get it worked up for performance?

  44. Jane MacDiarmid

    Prometheus Overture or Egmont (again) Beethoven, overture to Mozart’s Magic Flute or Don Giovanni, more Dvorak, overture to Die Fledermaus by Strauss, ( I like overtures it would seem) or Orpheus in the Underworld again (it was such fun playing it the last time).

    2. Karen Hunter

      Having revisited Handel’s Water Music, which we hadn’t done on stage before, Egmont was another rehearsal only piece, and I love that mad ending. Also, MacCunn and Smetana.

  45. Lesley Hay

    If we’re talking Bizet then I’d love to try some of the two Carmen suites. Loads of tunes that everyone knows in there, although some of them do contain prolonged exposed parts for brass and woodwind. Could we rope in some of our wonderful friendly pros to do a turn at the concert?

    I’d also like to revisit the Slavonic Dances by Dvorak. Again lots of little numbers that we could do more or less of if we’re doing well or struggling a bit.

    If we’re not doing a pre Christmas concert then I guess that’s another year I won’t get to possibility of trying the Troika from Lieutenant Kijé by Prokofiev 🙁 Ah well.

    All available on imslp.org by the way.

    And I’ll throw in a wish while I’m here for the Sigurd Jorsalfar incidental music by Grieg. Lovely cello moment at the start of the third piece (not sure if it’s difficult, I don’t play the cello!) and a huge blast of trumpets. Not available on imslp though 🙁

    1. Gill Lever

      Hope everyone is having a good summer. As we may have slightly more rehearsals than previously (!), how about tackling a big Beethoven symphony in its entirety? We have looked at parts of No.5 before, others that may be worth a look include the Pastoral (No. 6) or Eroica (No.3)?

  46. Karen Hunter

    We did a bit of the Bizet about a year or so ago, and we ‘ve done the overture to Orpheus in the Underworld. Of course, that doesn’t mean we can’t do it again.

  47. Sarah Strachan

    I have heard Bizet’s L’Arlesienne suite and Offenbach’s Orpheus in the Underworld music on several occasions and wondered whether part of either of these might be suitable – i.e. not too difficult. There are some lovely tunes in both suites and certainly plenty of dynamic variation!

  48. Alan

    Benjamin Britten – Soirees Musicale

    ….something for everyone, including some nice tuned percussion (but probably need to hire from Boosey & Hawkes – boo!)

  49. Alan Laing

    Could we attempt one movement from Holst’s Planet Suite? ‘Jupiter’ would be a real challenge, but what a great piece of music.

  50. Alan

    Yet more Sibelius – how about…?
    Symphony No. 2 (1st mvt.)

    Or, inspired by a brilliant SCO concert last week…
    Pelléas et Mélisande (1st two movements)

  51. Karen Hunter

    We did some of the Water Music in our first ever batch of rehearsals. There would need to be an arrangement, as half the instruments hadn’t been invented in his day. Sadly I missed Sibelius 5. It ‘s up there with The Planets in my 50 things to play before I die, and I’m at number 48. Andante Festivo would be great. No clarinets, sit back, arms folded. We’ve done the Karelia Suite in a concert, well, the first and third movements.

  52. Steven Millar

    How about :
    Handel –
    Water Music or Music for the Royal Fireworks
    Sibelius-
    Andante Festivo or Symphony No. 5
    or Karelia Suite

  53. Norman Mills

    Holst, difficult, nah dead easy for the clarinets. Just sit back and enjoy! However………… there is a version with wind parts, so maybe it is too difficult after all!

  54. Karen Hunter

    You may be shocked to know we’ve done the Warlock. No clarinet parts in the Holst, right? Just as well. It’s a difficult one.

  55. Joanna Gardner

    Every time I look at it I keep hoping it says Wine List 🙂 The Saint Paul’s Suite is an excellent idea and how about Warlock’s Capriol Suite?

  58. Tony Strachan

    How about Dance of the Clowns (Tumbrils) by Rimsky Korsakov? I heard it again last night and it would seem to suit most sections and didn’t seem too difficult.

  59. Moira Millar

    I love Holst St Paul’s Jig. I realise it is for strings, but it is short and we could find a suitable piece to show-case the rest of the Orchestra.

  60. Norman Mills

    Please, please, please (pretty please) can we have a term (or 2 or 3 or 4……..) of pre 20th century music, music that doesn’t need transposing from A clarinet (or a nice new A Clarinet from santa) and a full symphony (another Haydn or Beethoven or Tchaikovsky would be nice!), and some Wagner overtures would be nice as well.

  61. Ernie Spencer

    For next session (or next Christmas?) what about some dancing Strauss – eg, Blue Danube, Artist’s Life …

    I’d suggest also that we might make a feature of Leroy Anderson’s Sleigh Ride at every Christmas concert. (One or two of “my” audience were a bit disappointed that our concert last week did not have much Christmas music. Perhaps a link with Merchant Voices will address this anyway?)

    1. Joanna Gardner

      Good idea. And what about Victor Hely-Hutchinson’s Carol Symphony? Perhaps just the movement based on The First Noel, with a harp solo (I think). Not sure which movement it is, but quite spine-tingling and very “Christmassy”

  62. Sarah Strachan

    A selection from Tchaikovsky Sleeping Beauty eg waltz
    Berlioz Symphony Fantastique.
    Anything by Mozart or Beethoven.

  63. Gib FitzGibbon

    Mozart put a lot of his contemporaries in the shade.
    How about some lesser-known composers from that era?

  65. Allison

    What about one of the Mozart overtures? Magic Flute?
    and the overture to Hansel and Gretel is lovely.

  66. Karen Hunter

    I’d be more than a little displeased if we did The Planets and I wasn’t in the orchestra.

    To keep a percussionist occupied for a few minutes (!), I recommend the opening movement of Shostakovich 7. Having said that, it lasts almost as long as each of our last two concerts.

    Agree with Sibelius 5, McCunn, Butterworth, Ma Vlast. What about some Ravel and Debussy?

  67. Joanna Gardner

    How about Schubert Symphony No. 8 “Unfinished”? Not too technically demanding and shorter, obviously (!) than some, but lovely to play.

  68. David Sinclair

    You might regret asking this! No idea how suitable or not these would be but how about:

    Elgar Symphony No 1
    Rachmaninov Symphony No 2
    Rimsky-Korsakov Scheherazade
    Sibelius Symphony No 5
    Smetna Ma Vlast (loved it when we tried it previously)