Looking for a guaranteed showstopper that perfectly balances lyrical beauty with true virtuosic flair for your next concert? Ernesto Cavallini's Adagio e Tarantella is a cornerstone of the clarinet repertoire, and our new arrangement for Clarinet and String Orchestra finally gives it the elegant, supportive platform it truly deserves. Warning: may cause your audience (and the soloist!) to spontaneously erupt into a frenzied Italian folk dance!
About the Piece
Ernesto Cavallini (1807–1874) was rightly nicknamed the "Paganini of the Clarinet" for his dazzling technique, which even inspired Verdi to write a solo for him in La forza del destino. The Adagio e Tarantella is one of his most celebrated works. It perfectly encapsulates the Italian Romantic style: a slow, intensely beautiful opening Adagio cantabile allows the soloist to sing with genuine operatic warmth, before a thrilling, technically demanding Tarantella—a frantic Neapolitan folk dance, once believed to be a cure for a spider bite—whips the piece into a joyful frenzy.
While traditionally performed with piano, our specialised arrangement shifts the accompaniment to a lush, highly effective String Orchestra. This adaptation not only captures the original's dramatic, operatic spirit more fully, but it also gives the music a depth and colour that a piano just can't match. We’ve meticulously edited the score for maximum clarity, ensuring that both the soloist and the strings have clear parts that make rehearsal a pleasure, not a puzzle.
Key Features:
- Instrumentation: Solo Clarinet in B-flat with String Orchestra (Violin I, Violin II, Viola, Cello, Contrabass).
- Difficulty: Advanced solo part; Intermediate string orchestra parts, making it accessible for school or community ensembles.
- Arranger: Paul Wood for MyMusicScores.
- Format: High-quality PDF for instant download (Full Score & All Parts).
- Fidelity: Full, un-cut version of the work (including the virtuosic introduction), faithfully maintaining Cavallini's brilliant solo line and harmonic structure.
Why It Matters
This piece is more than just a technical showpiece; it’s a brilliant piece of musical theatre. By bringing it to string orchestra, we're opening up this beloved work to a wider range of ensembles, from conservatoire groups looking for a vibrant concert opener to community orchestras keen to spotlight their talented clarinetists. Performing this piece connects you to a lineage of Italian virtuosi and ensures that this magnificent example of 19th-century clarinet playing continues to inspire. Join us in giving Cavallini's genius the orchestral voice it deserves.
Closing Note
Perfect for advanced student recitals, pops concerts, or any programme needing a dramatic, fast-slow-fast core. Grab your edition, tell your strings to brace for the Tarantella, and don't forget to share your performance with our community! We can't wait to see this thrilling piece brought to life.
