Waltz for Betz
(1999)

Three incarnations:

1. for solo piano

2. in an arrangement for <solo instrument> with piano accompaniment
original arrangement commissioned for viola and piano by Michelle LaCourse

3. in an arrangement for alto saxophone, viola, or B-flat clarinet with string orchestra
commissioned by the Bay-Atlantic Symphony

Duration:
one movement, ca. 4:30

Program Notes

Waltz for Betz is, as one might assume, a waltz dedicated to someone named Betz.  It is a gentle, passionate ballad -- Satie by way of Mancini -- originally composed for solo piano as a musical Valentine's Day card, then later arranged as a recital piece for viola and piano, and for viola and string orchestra.

Comments and Reviews

... a sweet, warm gem of a piece... a nod to Satie and pure tenderness... a musical valentine that effectively explores the sounds of various ranges on the viola... couples in the audience were reported snuggling closer to each other during a recent performance...

Michelle LaCourse, commissioning violist
faculty, Boston University and University of Massachusetts

Played "Waltz for Betz" on my recital on the 18th. Spent weeks preparing Madsen, Ellerby, Bach and Wilder for this recital. Spent 10 minutes practicing Waltz for Betz. The audience LOVED Waltz for Betz. Oh yeah, and they "LIKED THOSE OTHER PIECES, TOO."  That is a direct quote from more than one audience member.  I'll say it again, Waltz for Betz is just beautiful. My fiancé asked if I would play it at our wedding....

Matthew K. Brown, tubist, Avatar Brass Quintet

To place an order to buy Waltz for Betz for solo piano, click here.

To place an order to buy Waltz for Betz arranged for <your instrument> plus piano, click here.

To place an order to buy Waltz for Betz arranged for <your instrument> plus string orchestra, click here.

ATTENTION TUBA PLAYERS...
To read about Sultry and Eccentric for tuba and piano, click here.

To read about Three Furies for Solo Tuba, click here.

To read about Quintet for Brass, click here.

To read about the 2001 Solstice/Equinox Commissioning Consortium -- four intermediate-level pieces for tuba -- click here.

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