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.
In the Low Ding Zone tradition, we poke a little fun at Tchaikovsky’s world-famous work by transposing the notes downward one octave, recasting the piece as a bass handbell trio. For your convenience, the score package for this arrangement comes with a complete three-staff score, plus separate parts for each ringer. It may be played an octave higher than written if you have nothing but “gurlie bells”.
Interpretive dancer not included. 😀
Bay View Week of Handbells 2023 Participants: This version of Dance of the Sugar Plum Sumo Fairy for bass handbell trio is not the one we’ll be playing in August! Check the link from Fred’s official repertoire list for the bass handbell choir version that we’ll be performing.
Preview:
Bass handbell trio score: $15.00 US
Score package includes full score and separated handbell part scores.
Purchasing this arrangement gives you permission to print and maintain the number of copies needed your handbell ensemble (plus the accompaniment score) – so you only need to pay once. 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.
