Norman Leyden: Serenade for String Orchestra

#HearPYP
Norman Leyden
Serenade for String Orchestra
1. Prelude
2. Fugue 2:10
3. Nocturne 4:17
4. Cakewalk 8:12
Portland Youth Philharmonic
David Hattner Musical Director
November 8, 2014
Arlene Schintzer Concert Hall
Portland, Oregon

Norman Leyden was a regular attendee at our concerts. He had first visited Portland to conduct our orchestra (then the Portland Junior Symphony) during a sabbatical year for the permanent conductor, Jacob Avshalomov. He basically never left! We still use an English Horn he donated to the orchestra 50 years ago. We performed this piece, perhaps his best known, in his memory.

[yacobatze]

i like how cakewalk reprises the first 3 movements throughout the passage

[elenawallace]

That soloist for nocturne-the first chair-was amazing!!

[bonnieshiah]

The violin soloist in the nocturne has a magical handling of the phrase. Have listened many times and delight in its beauty each time. ....Bonnie Shiah

[salamanderjames]

0:00 Prelude
2:11 Fugue
4:26 Nocturne
8:16 Cakewalk

[내모-jp]

5:53 My favorite part. It feels like I'm surrounded by waves of harmony. It's so beautiful

[thegrippingsquid]

My high schools orchestra is playing this and as a bassist this is one of the most energetic songs for bass.

[epicdave]

Apparently, the high school orchestra I'm in is playing this piece for the first time (in its entirety) in our city (in a place other than a school) and that's pretty amazing. Such a beautiful piece shouldn't be left unplayed in a concert hall!

[lemonpoundcake]

We played this in my orchestra! Perfect!!

[umemployedplumber]

The switch from Nocturne to Cakewalk was quite overwhelming. for a moment i was having a good cry and at the next moment i had this amazing burst of energy. Just amazing.

[meganw]

We're playing this in our orchestra right now

[thisismerica]

That soloist is amazing. Literally gave me chills.

[gabrielvargasviolin]

I love the cake wake when the cellos go down a scale

[javeer]

Brings back great memories. I played as a second violin and I loved these so much

[jacklaw]

Incredibly versatile Norman Leyden worked with Glen Miller in the military. In the pop music days of the 50s, he arranged a lot of hits. And he worked in TV as a composer/arranger.

[saminadenis]

looks like I'm the only one here who doesn't know anything​bout the terms since i dont play any instruments... i just came for the peace it brings to my soul, it's indescribable. i really wish i could play tho

[ba.T]

I've been in both choir and band during middle and high school, I play both trumpet and piano yet I've always regretted not taking up a string instrument like violin, it's such a beautiful sound

[DanielaRojas-tqmo]

Absolutely, best video recording of this whole piece!! I am so glad Norman was able to create this piece! Just amazing!!

[carlosmedina]

Best recording I've heard from this piece so far!

[Banana-owfm]

We are going to play this for a festival and I just love the whole piece. Cakewalk is my favorite when it comes to playing :)

I was just looking at my music while they played XD

[afirebreathinglizard]

I'm playing this for my second to last concert and I love this piece.