Tchaikovsky created one of the all-time holiday season favorites when he wrote the Nutcracker Suite in 1892. There’s a good chance you’ve seen more than just a small part of it at a December ballet presentation. The Dance of the Candy Fairy (or Sugar Plum Fairy) was a sensation at its premiere, because Tchaikovsky chose the celesta (also called a “bell piano”) as the solo instrument. At the time, the celesta was unknown in Russia; the composer had one secretly delivered from Europe and kept it hidden until the first performance. Wikipedia notes that the celesta is a “transposing instrument” – it plays notes an octave higher than its written score.
This arrangement of Tchaikovsky’s world-famous work, written for the 2023 Bay View Week of Handbells, uses bells from G1-C#5 and chimes from D4-G5, but will still work if you have “only” five octaves of bells. If you’re playing as part of your Christmas program, your treble ringers from AB5 (position 7) upward will thank you for the precious rest they’ll get when you present it.
Interpretive dancer not included. 😀
| Bass Handbell Score, Full Ensemble: $30.00 US | |
| Bass Handbell Score, Single Copy: $5.00 US |
Also available for bass handbell trio.
Purchasing the handbell choir version of this arrangement grants permission to print and maintain up to fifteen copies for your handbell ensemble; purchasing the single copy version grants permission to print and maintain one copy. Purchase also gives permission for performance, broadcasting, live-streaming and video-sharing online. See our licensing agreement for full details, and please remember to mention the title and arranger of the piece on video-sharing sites, social media and any printed materials such as concert programs.
