Sorcerer's Apprentice, The (Dukas)

Stephen Primatic has masterfully scored Dukas’ most famous work, The Sorcerer's Apprentice, for large, modern percussion ensemble. Hold onto your hats (and brooms). It’s quite a ride!

Program Notes

Paul Dukas’ L'apprenti sorcier ("The Sorcerer's Apprentice") is his most famous work. Based on the 1797 poem of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Dukas’ work came into prominence in large part due to the 1940 animated Disney film Fantasia.

This arrangement utilizes the full force of the modern percussion ensemble. Because the piece is a programmatic work, this arrangement retains the original structure with no cuts or edits in length. This ensures that the poem’s narrative flow remains intact.

Various non-pitched instruments add to the color of this arrangement. Listen for a ratchet, a sizzle cymbal, a slapstick, and a marching machine!

Grade Level: 5
Copyright: 2022
Number of Players: 13
Publisher: C. Alan Publications
Series: Masterworks Series
Category: Percussion

Instrumentation

Glockenspiel
Xylophone 1
Xylophone 2
Vibraphone 1
Vibraphone 2
Marimba 1 [4.3-octave]
Marimba 2 [4.3-octave]
Marimba 3 [4.3-octave]
Marimba 4 [5.0-octave]
Timpani [4 drums]

Percussion 1: Triangle, Tambourine, Bass Drum, China Cymbal, Sleigh Bells, Suspended Cymbal

Percussion 2: 2 Crotales (A-flat, B-flat_, 2 Mounter Triangles, Slapstick, Tambourine, Sizzle Cymbal
May share: Crash Cymbals, Suspended Cymbal, Tam-Tam

Percussion 3: Temple Blocks, Snare Drum, Ratchet, Bell Tree, Marching Machine
May share: Tam-Tam, Crash Cymbals