The

Guide
to the

© Cori Bloom 2018

 The

Guide to the

This great piece of music was composed

in 1945 by Benjamin Britten. It was written

to showcase the tone color (timbre) of each

instrument and section of the orchestra.

The piece begins with the musical theme

played first by everyone, then played by each

instrument family. After that, a

variation is played by each individual

instrument. Finally, the entire orchestra returns

for a grand fugue to end the piece. © Cori Bloom 2018

The Young Person’s Name

Guide to the Orchestra

Benjamin Britten was born

in England in 1913, and
learned to play piano and
read music from his
mother. He began piano
lessons at age 7 and learned
to play the viola at age 10.
He wrote classical music during
the 20th century, including:
orchestral and chamber music,
vocal pieces, and operas. He
died in 1976.

© Cori Bloom 2018

The Young Person’s Name

Guide to the Orchestra

The Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra begins with

the theme played by the entire orchestra. When
the whole orchestra plays, it is called tutti, an
Italian word that means “together.”
After the orchestra plays tutti, the theme is played
by each instrument family. First by the

woodwinds, then the brass, then the

strings, and lastly by the percussion. © Cori Bloom 2018
The Young Person’s Name

Guide to the Orchestra

A
Tempo Instruments Mood
Presto Flute & Piccolo

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The Young Person’s Name

Guide to the Orchestra

B
Tempo Instruments Mood
Lento Oboe

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this variation is...

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The Young Person’s Name

Guide to the Orchestra

C
Tempo Instruments Mood
Moderato Clarinet

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The Young Person’s Name

Guide to the Orchestra

D
Tempo Instruments Mood
Allegro alla Bassoon
marcia

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about this variation is...

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The Young Person’s Name

Guide to the Orchestra

E
Tempo Instruments Mood
Brillante: Violin
alla polacca

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this variation is...

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The Young Person’s Name

Guide to the Orchestra

F
Tempo Instruments Mood
Meno mosso Viola

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The Young Person’s Name

Guide to the Orchestra

G
Tempo Instruments Mood
Lusingando Cello

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The Young Person’s Name

Guide to the Orchestra

H
Tempo Instruments Mood
Cominciando Double Bass
lento ma poco
a poco accel.
al Allegro

© Cori Bloom 2018

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this variation is...

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The Young Person’s Name

Guide to the Orchestra

I
Tempo Instruments Mood
Maestoso Harp

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The Young Person’s Name

Guide to the Orchestra

J
Tempo Instruments Mood
L’istesso French Horn
Tempo

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this variation is...

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The Young Person’s Name

Guide to the Orchestra

K
Tempo Instruments Mood
Vivace Trumpet

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The Young Person’s Name

Guide to the Orchestra

L
Tempo Instruments Mood
Allegro Trombones &
Pomposo Bass Tuba

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The Young Person’s Name

Guide to the Orchestra

M
Tempo Instruments Mood
Moderato Percussion:
Timpani, Bass drum,
Cymbals, Tambourine,
Triangle, Snare drum,
Wood block,
Xylophone, Castanets,
Tamtam, & Whip

© Cori Bloom 2018

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The Young Person’s Name

Guide to the Orchestra

After each instrument is featured, the

entire orchestra comes back together for the final

fugue. The instruments come back one by one,

beginning with the piccolo. When all the

instruments have returned, the theme is heard one

© Cori Bloom 2018

final time in the brass section.