Tchaikovsky created one of the all-time holiday season favorites when he wrote the Nutcracker Suite in 1892. There’s a good chance you’ve seen more than just a small part of it at a December ballet presentation. The Dance of the Candy Fairy (or Sugar Plum Fairy) was a sensation at its premiere, because Tchaikovsky chose the celesta (also called a “bell piano”) as the solo instrument. At the time, the celesta was unknown in Russia; the composer had one secretly delivered from Europe and kept it hidden until the first performance. Wikipedia notes that the celesta is a “transposing instrument” – it plays notes an octave higher than its written score.
In the Low Ding Zone tradition, we poke a little fun at Tchaikovsky’s world-famous work by transposing the notes downward one octave, recasting the piece as a bass handbell trio. For your convenience, the score package for this arrangement comes with a complete three-staff score, plus separate parts for each ringer. It may be played an octave higher than written if you have nothing but “gurlie bells”.
Interpretive dancer not included. 😀
Purchasing this arrangement gives you permission to print and maintain the number of copies needed your handbell ensemble (plus the accompaniment score) – so you only need to pay once. Purchase also gives permission for performance, broadcasting, live-streaming and video-sharing online. See our licensing agreement for full details, and please remember to mention the title and arranger of the piece on video-sharing sites, social media and any printed materials such as concert programs.
