Curnow has had a distinguished career as a composer, conductor, and educator. He has won numerous awards, including the prestigious ABA/Ostwald Award in 1980 (for Mutanza ) and 1984 (for Symphonic Variants for Euphonium and Band ). He has served as a faculty member at the University of Illinois and as Composer-in-Residence at Asbury University, and he is the president of Curnow Music Press. His published works number well over four hundred, and his deep understanding of the concert band medium makes his arrangement of Shostakovich’s waltz a cornerstone for young bands.
: For decades, "Waltz No. 2" was misidentified as part of Shostakovich's Suite for Jazz Orchestra No. 2 (1938). It was actually composed much later, post-1956, as the seventh movement of his Suite for Variety Orchestra .
: While maintaining the somber minor mood of the original, Curnow optimizes the key signature to fit comfortably within the resonant ranges of wind instruments, promoting good intonation.
Waltz No. 2 (from Suite For Variety Stage Orchestra) - Full Score waltz no 2 by dmitri shostakovich arr james curnow pdf link
Dmitri Shostakovich's "Waltz No. 2" is one of the most recognizable classical melodies in the world. Originally written for a Soviet variety orchestra, this hauntingly beautiful piece has found a permanent home in the repertoire of modern concert bands. This is largely thanks to the masterful arrangement by American composer and arranger James Curnow.
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It is 1955 in the Soviet Union. Dmitri Shostakovich, a man whose life has been a tightrope walk between state-sponsored fame and the threat of the Gulag, is tasked with writing music for a film called The First Echelon . The movie is meant to celebrate young volunteers working on remote farms—the "Virgin Lands"—under a harsh, freezing sky. Curnow has had a distinguished career as a
ensembles and maintains the rich, rhythmic charm of the original work. Sheet Music Plus Access and Purchase Options
For wind band conductors and music educators looking to bring this Russian masterpiece to the concert stage, the is widely considered the gold standard. This article explores the piece, the arrangement, and how to find the performance materials for your ensemble.
: A reliable source for purchasing the physical or digital concert band score . His published works number well over four hundred,
James Curnow, a renowned American arranger and composer, arranged "Waltz No. 2" for various instrumental ensembles, making it accessible to a broader range of musicians. Curnow's arrangement maintains the essence and charm of Shostakovich's original work while adapting it to suit different instrumental settings.
Shostakovich’s music thrives on subtle push and pull. While a steady waltz tempo is important, allow the primary melody lines—especially the opening solos and transitions—to breathe. Work with your ensemble on watching the podium for expressive ritardandos and sudden, dramatic pick-ups. Managing Dynamics and Drama