Don Quixote (Strauss)
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Don Quixote, Op. 35, is a composition by Richard Strauss for cello, viola and large orchestra, subtitled "Fantasy Variations on a Theme of Knightly Character." Also known as "Don Quixote, Fantastic Variations for Cello & Orchestra." It is modelled after the novel Don Quixote de la Mancha by Spanish author Miguel de Cervantes.
Strauss composed this work in Munich in 1897.
It was first performed in Cologne in March, 1898.
The second variation depicts an episode where Don Quixote encounters a herd of sheep and perceives them as an approaching army. Strauss uses dissonant fluttertonguing in the brass to emulate the bleating of the sheep. This is one of the first instances of this extended technique.
[edit] Orchestration
This composition is scored for a large-sized romantic orchestra. Strauss calls for the following:
- Woodwinds
- Piccolo
- 2 Flutes
- 2 Oboes
- English Horn
- 2 Clarinets in B-flat (Cl. 2 doubles Clarinet in E-flat)
- 3 Bassoons
- Contrabassoon
- Brass
- 6 Horns in F
- 3 Trumpets in D
- 3 Trombones
- Tenor Tuba in B-flat (Commonly called Euphonium)
- Tuba
[edit] Sections
- Introduction: Mäßiges Zeitmaß. Thema mäßig;
- Variation I: Gemächlich;
- Variation II: Kriegerisch;
- Variation III: Mäßiges zeitmaß;
- Variation IV: Etwas breiter;
- Variation V: Sehr langsam;
- Variation VI: Schnell;
- Variation VII: Ein wenig ruhiger als vohrer;
- Variation VIII: Gemächlich;
- Variation IX: Schnell und Stürmisch;
- Variation X: Viel breiter;
- Finale: Sehr ruhig
