SLEIGH RIDE (score & parts)

Sleigh Ride (also known as Winter Night) is one of Three Small Tone Poems by the late Romantic English composer, Delius (1862-1934). The other two movements in the collection – Spring Morning and Summer Evening – probably indicates that Delius had planned, though probably never completed, his own ‘Four Seasons’.

The then 25 year old Delius may well have played a piano solo version of the piece (then entitled Norwegian Sleigh Ride) at a Christmas Eve party in 1887 to Grieg had invited him. Although Delius went on to orchestrate the work its first performance didn’t take place until 1947 – well over a decade after Delius’ death. The score had been unearthed, along with other unpublished manuscripts, by Sir Thomas Beecham – a lifelong devotee of Delius’ works.

Much of Delius’ music reflects his love of nature and this gentle, lyrical work, with its atmospheric musical portrayal of a snowy, moonlit sleigh ride, is certainly no exception.

In this arrangement for wind quartet the sleigh bells are either played by the bassoonist (worn on the ankles/legs) or they are played in the first two bars only by the flute/piccolo. All good Christmas fun!!

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