Rieding Dance of the Dragon Flies Op 20 for Violin and String Orchestra

Rieding: Dance of the Dragonflies (Libellentanz), Op. 20 (Arr. String Orchestra)

"Light on its feet" — this Grade 6/7 piece, now with a warm orchestral lift.

Oscar Rieding’s Dance of the Dragonflies (1904) is a sparkling Romantic miniature that sits beautifully at ABRSM Grade 6/7. In the original violin and piano version it’s already a brilliant “next step” piece: agile, lyrical, and instantly engaging. This MyMusicScores arrangement takes the same trusted solo line and places it over a subtle, supportive string orchestra accompaniment that adds movement, colour, and the occasional counter-melody, without turning rehearsals into a project.

The result is a concert ready option that feels more special than a piano reduction, while staying playable for a young string orchestra and refreshingly straightforward to put together for more advanced ensembles.

See & hear the difference

Have a look at the score and parts preview images above, then watch the complete score video below. Together, they let you check engraving quality, balance, and overall difficulty so you can be confident this arrangement will work for your soloist and ensemble before you buy.

Key Features

• Instrumentation: Solo Violin & String Orchestra (Vln I, Vln II, Vla, Vc, Db)
• Difficulty: ABRSM Grade 6/7 (solo). Ensemble: accessible youth orchestra level
• Focus skills (solo): off-the-string articulation, lyrical G-string playing, confident E-string register work
• Format: High-quality PDF download (full score & all parts)
• Edition quality: Meticulously re-engraved (not a scan) for clear, rehearsal-ready parts

Why this arrangement works (musically and practically)

• The orchestra writing adds gentle rhythmic energy and harmonic support, helping the soloist feel secure while still sounding light and brilliant.
• Inner parts bring subtle counter-melodies and musical interest, so the ensemble stays engaged without the texture ever getting heavy.
• The overall scoring is designed to rehearse efficiently: clear cues, clean layout, and idiomatic string writing that comes together quickly.

Perfect For

• School and youth orchestra concerts: a lively solo feature that still rehearses cleanly
• Community orchestras: a charming short item that looks and sounds polished with limited rehearsal time
• Student soloist showcases: orchestral colour without overwhelming the violin line

If you want Dance of the Dragonflies to feel like a “proper concert item” while remaining realistic for students and ensembles, this arrangement is designed to do exactly that.