by G.F. Handel, arr. Brian Slawson
8 or 9 players
Instrumentation: 2 flutes, 2 glockenspiels, 4 marimbas*—(2) 4-octave, (1) low A, (1) low C
*If four marimbas aren't available these parts can be perfomred by sharing two marimbas (one low A and one low C).
After opera’s decline of popularity in England during the 1730’s, Handel switched to writing oratorios. These were lengthy choral works without operatic staging or scenery, his most famous of these being Messiah. Another such work, Solomon, brings us the Entrance of the Queen of Sheba.
Written for mallet ensemble and two flutes, Entrance of the Queen of Sheba allows the musicians to demonstrate how well Baroque music adapts to percussion instruments. In an age where contemporary music sometimes dominates percussion concerts, this will provide a nice contrast that not only highlights the beauty of Handel’s music but welcomes the addition of woodwinds into the mix.
This arrangement of Entrance of the Queen of Sheba has been heard worldwide on the popular CD "Bach on Wood," which helped garner Brian Slawson a Grammy nomination for “Best New Classical Artist.”
This piece comes with a full, bound score and includes a CD-Rom containing an audio recording and all individual parts available for printing.
