Dwarf of Venice, The

Drawn from the composer's ballet, "The Jester," this suite of dances begins majestically moving seamlessly through music of growing mystery and intensity leading to an abrupt moment of painful darkness. The ensuing silence is almost magically broken by music of lightness and hope. A child-like dance begins, growing in confidence and joy, resulting in a return to the majesty of the beginning. As in all of Zaninelli's works, every musical twist and turn in The Dwarf of Venice leads on to unpredictable, but inevitable moments of unprepared delight.

Genre: Wind Orchestra | # of Players: Flexible
Level: 5 | Duration: 8:40

Instrumentation
Piccolo
Flute 1/2
Oboe 1/2
English Horn
Solo Clarinet in Bb 1/2
Clarinet in Bb 1
Clarinet in Bb 2/3
Bass Clarinet in Bb
Contralto Clarinet in Eb
Bassoon
Alto Saxophone in Eb 1/2
Tenor Saxophone
Baritone Saxophone

Trumpet in Bb 1
Trumpet in Bb 2/3
Horn in F 1/3
Horn in F 2/4
Trombone 1/2
Trombone 3
Bass Trombone
Euphonium
Tuba

String Bass

Timpani
Bells, Chimes [2 Players]
Vibraphone, Xylophone [2 Players]
Marimba (5-octave)
Percussion 1 [2 Players] (Suspended Cymbal, Crash Cymbals, Tam-Tam)
Percussion 2 [2 Players] (Snare Drum, Bass Drum)

Program Notes
There once lived a poor deformed dwarf who danced at the Court of the Doge of Venice. When he danced, he danced so beautifully, his ugliness seemed to disappear and he became a thing of beauty.

One day, a beautiful Princess came to the court and, upon seeing him dance, pleaded with the Doge to let her have him. Unfortunately, the Doge agreed. In time, the Princess, being cold and uncaring, soon tired of the dwarf’s beautiful dancing. She insisted that he attempt more daring and dangerous dances.

One evening, while trying to please her, he fell and could no longer dance. The Princess became outraged and had him thrown outside the walls of her castle. He wandered the land until one day he was found by a small child, who, with love and trust, gave him back his dignity. His gift returned and he danced happily ever after.

- Luigi Zaninelli