Janáček - The Cunning Little Vixen: A Symphonic Suite (score)
Arranged for chamber orchestra
Leoš Janáček (1854-1928) composed his opera The Cunning Little Vixen in 1921-1923, creating his own libretto. It is based on a cartoon featured in a Czech newspaper that told the life and times of a vixen. The animals of the forest are depicted alongside their human counterparts in a witty, beautiful and moving tale. Janáček set it to music of great originality, colour and emotional depth. This suite for chamber orchestra from Janáček's opera follows the plot in order, taking in the most important musical and dramatic sections for orchestra alone. It is in three movements, one for each Act, and is around 35 minutes in length.
Instrumentation: flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, horn, trumpet, percussion (1 player: timpani, cymbals, glockenspiel), violin 1, violin 2, viola, cello, double bass (string parts can be single parts or a section of around 4, 3, 3, 2, 1)