Perpetual Motion

Perpetual Motion
Composed by Johann Strauss, Jr.
Arranged by Matt Johnston
Published by Alry Publications
Includes score and parts

Instrumentation: Piccolo, 3 C Flutes, Piano, and Optional Percussion

Percussion instruments: Timpani, Glockenspiel, Triangle, and Tam-tam

A rollicking tune from Johann Strauss, Jr., sure to get stuck in your head. This piece is performed by the Vienna Philharmonic every New Year's Eve. The arrangement includes many piccolo and flute excerpts from the original work, and there is also an optional percussion part included if you want to add even more fun to the action!

Program Notes by Matt Johnston:
      Johann Strauss Jr.'s Perpetual Motion (Perpetuum Mobile) has to be one of the most silly and funny works of all of the 19th century. Though known as “The Waltz King”, he also composed a fair number of other marches and polkas (not in a triple meter), including this work. A very popular piece, it is performed nearly every year by the Vienna Philharmonic on their world-famous New Year's Eve concerts.
      The percussion part included is totally optional, and for the sake of space, I even made the decision to not include it in the score. If used, it can add a nice bit of color, and the timpani solo in the middle of the piece can be fully realized. One last thing, since the piece is already quite silly, I would encourage players to improvise, especially during the final vamp at the end of the piece, or even just slowly walk off stage as the piano continues to play. Though there are some fun and challenging piccolo and flute exerpts in this work, it need not be taken all too seriously.