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Title	Heinzelmännchen
Category	Concert/wind/brass band
Subcategory	Symphonic arrangements
Instrumentation	Ha (concert/wind band)
Format	PrtStm (full score and parts)
Publisher's article no.	KL 2308
Year of publication	2022
Price	96.00 EUR (incl. 10 % Austrian VAT)
Composer	Hellmesberger, Josef 1855-1907
Arranger	Totzauer, Michael
Difficulty level	3+
Duration	4:20
Additional info/contents	This character piece was first heard in 2022 under Daniel Barenboim at the Vienna Philharmonic's New Year's Concert! A truly exciting composition! Prt PicFlt Flt Ob Fag EsClr Clr 1,2,3 BClr ASax 1,2 TSax BSax Flh 1,2 Trp 1,2,3 Tnh Hrn in F 1,2,3,4 Trb 1,2,3 Brt Tub 1,2 WltStm Tmp Glsp Trng Schlgz
Sample sheet music	click here
Sample score	click here
Video sample
Available	yes

Programme notes: The Gnomes: Cultural-Historical Significance and Musical Reception The gnomes are friendly, dwarf-like house spirits deeply rooted in the folklore of Cologne. They are considered helpful beings who secretly perform chores for people at night while they sleep. The first written mention of the gnomes dates back to 1826 and is attributed to the Cologne teacher Ernst Weyden. This figure is comparable to the Scottish "brownies" and embodies a typical aspect of European belief in house spirits. The gnomes symbolize not only Cologne's cultural folklore but also the human longing for support and relief in everyday life. Their legend remains an integral part of the region's identity and is explored in literature, theater, and music. The Gnomes in Music The musical reception of the gnomes demonstrates how fairytale characters find their way into art and are given new interpretations. The composition "Heinzelmännchen" by Josef Hellmesberger (1855–1907), an Austrian composer and conductor, is particularly well-known. Hellmesberger's work is characterized by a lively instrumentation that primarily foregrounds the woodwinds. The composition features demanding passages for this instrument group, reflecting the playful, almost dancing nature of the Heinzelmännchen (little helpers). The musical portrayal of these little helpers is achieved through rapid runs, dotted rhythms, and a cheerful atmosphere reminiscent of the house spirits' nocturnal activities. Analysis of the Composition and Arrangement for Wind Orchestra Josef Hellmesberger's "Heinzelmännchen" is a characteristic example of 19th-century programmatic music. The composition utilizes the timbres of the woodwinds to depict the movements and character of the Heinzelmännchen. The fast, virtuosic passages challenge the musicians while simultaneously conveying the impression of nimble, invisible helpers. Michael Totzauer's arrangement of the piece for wind orchestra plays a particularly important role. Totzauer, a self-taught musicologist and active horn player in various music schools and wind orchestras, adapted the work for smaller wind ensembles. His arrangement preserves the original character of the composition but adjusts the instrumentation to the sonic possibilities of a wind orchestra. This makes the piece accessible to amateur orchestras and music schools without sacrificing musical quality. Totzauer's version emphasizes the sonic diversity of the wind orchestra and allows for a lively interpretation of the gnome legend. Totzauer's arrangement replaces the strings with additional woodwind and brass instruments to optimally utilize the wind orchestra's sonic character. The woodwinds retain their central role but are complemented by brass and percussion. This adaptation allows for a sonic diversity that closely resembles the original, yet emphasizes the specific strengths of a wind orchestra. The basic structure and melodic lines of the original composition are preserved. However, Totzauer adapts the harmonies and accompanying parts to the sonic possibilities of a wind orchestra. The rapid runs and rhythmic figures of the woodwinds are retained to authentically portray the character of the gnomes. The arrangement slightly reduces the technical challenges for the musicians, making the piece playable even for less experienced ensembles. Nevertheless, the demanding passages for the woodwinds are retained to preserve the virtuosic character of the original. The gnomes are not only a beloved fairytale character but also an inspiring motif in music. Josef Hellmesberger's composition and Michael Totzauer's arrangement demonstrate how cultural narratives can be reinterpreted through musical means. Both works offer conductors, music teachers, and active musicians an appealing way to bring the legend of the gnomes to life through sound. Both the original composition by Josef Hellmesberger and the wind orchestra arrangement by Michael Totzauer offer a musical interpretation of the Heinzelmännchen legend, each capturing the character of the little helpers in its own way. While Hellmesberger's work impresses with its symphonic instrumentation and virtuosic demands, Totzauer's arrangement allows for a broader audience. This arrangement is suitable for conductors, music teachers, and active musicians who wish to experience the legend of the gnomes through sound. Text: musicainfo.net (KI) Quellen/Sources: Wikipedia: Heinzelmännchen Tags: Spirits and supernatural powers; Fairy tales, legends, stories;

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	Format	EUR
	Heinzelmännchen (concert/wind band), full score and parts	96.00
	Heinzelmännchen (concert/wind band), full score	24.00

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