Instrumentations for Some of the Pieces We’d Like to Play Sometime
Also including pieces that are already in our repertoire.
In other words, this is our “master list.”
Want to add something to this list? Just tell me.
Parentheses around a number means the part (example: piccolo) can be played
by one of the players of the “principal” instrument (same example: flute), doubling on the parenthesized part (i.e., no additional player needed).
The number under Timp is the number of drums needed.
If there are two numbers, the second is the number of players needed.
Sometimes you’ll see just an “x” under Timp, Perc, or Harp; this happens because most catalogs simply list “Timpani,” “Percussion,” and “Harp,” if any are used, with no further details given, and I haven't managed to see a score yet.

If there’s just a number under Perc, that means my information is coming from a book (Orchestral Music, by David Daniels) which lists the number of percussion PLAYERS theoretically needed; I’ve decided to use that number since it obviously imparts more information than just an “x.”

If the piece is listed in the Daniels book AND I have information about the exact instruments needed, there will be a number, a slash, and the percussion abbreviations.
The fact that I have found my information in a catalog or book but haven’t seen a score yet is also indicated by one asterisk after the name of the piece.

Two asterisks after the name of the piece means I haven’t managed to see a score OR a reliable catalog or book yet, and much of the instrumentation information in general is unconfirmed.
If the name of the piece appears in red, it means the piece is still under copyright protection and we have to pay ASCAP to play it. If the name is in black, we haven’t had the time to check out the date of the particular piece, but the composer definitely lived recently enough that the piece could be under protection. If the name is in green, it’s definitely NOT still under copyright protection — or we happen to know that the composer is not an ASCAP member.
If there are two numbers under Tpt, the first is trumpets and the second is cornets.
Percussion abbreviations: B=Orchestral (Tubular) Bells; BD=Bass Drum; BDC=Bass Drum with Cymbal Attached; C=Cymbal(s); Cl=Claves; FC=Finger Cymbal; FD=Field Drum; G=Gong; G(l)=Low Gong; G(h)=High Gong; Gl=Glockenspiel; Gu=Guiro; M=Marimba; PSD=Piccolo Snare Drum; R=Ratchet; RS=Rosewood Sticks; SB=Sleighbells; SC=Suspended Cymbal; SD=Snare (Side) Drum; SS=Slapstick; Sw=Switches; Ta=Tambourine; TD=Tenor Drum; Tr=Triangle; To=Tom-Tom; TT=Tam-Tam; TT(l)=Low Tam-Tam; TT(h)=High Tam-Tam; V=Vibes; WB=Wood Blocks; WC=Wind Chimes; WM=Wind Machine; X=Xylophone.
“Other” abbreviations: B=Buccine (ancient Roman brass horns); Ce=Celeste; Ch=SATB chorus; E=Eb Clarinet; G=Guitar; H=Harmonium; KCh=Children’s chorus; M=Mandolin; P=Piano 2 hands; P4=Piano 4 hands; O=Organ; [[ ]]=non-SATB chorus; [ ]=Vocal soloists: S=Soprano; M=Mezzo; A=Alto; C=Contralto; T=Tenor; Bar=Baritone; B=Bass.
Bach abbreviations: In column heads: Ob.d’A=Oboe d’Amore; Ob.d’C=Oboe d’Caccia; Hpsi=Harpsichord; [S], [A], [T], [B]=soloists; “Other” abbreviations: VdG=Viola da Gamba solo; L=Lute.
Full string sections are always assumed unless otherwise noted.
The following composers now have their own pages: Beethoven Brahms Mahler Mozart
Arriaga   Time Picc Flute Oboe EH Clar BCl Bsn Contra Horn Tpt Tbn Tuba Timp Perc Harp Other
Esclavos felices Ov 8   2 2   2   2   2       2      
Sym in D 23   2 2   2   2   2 2     2      

Avshalomov, David   Time Picc Flute Oboe EH Clar BCl Bsn Contra Horn Tpt Tbn Tuba Timp Perc Harp Other
Elegy 9    For string orchestra only.   
Dickinson songs 20 1 2 2   2 1 2 1 4 3 3* 1 4 4† 1 Ce,‡
*Bass Tbn needs Eb trigger. †2 must play mallets: Gl,V,X,SD,PSD,BD,3SC(£),C**,2G,TT,Tr,Ta,R,SS or WB.
‡Contrabasses need C extension; optional piano (one note). £One a high Splash Cymbal. **One note, can use SC in pinch.

Bach Time Flute Oboe Ob.d’A Ob.d’C Bsn Horn Tpt Timp Organ [S] [A] [T] [B] Ch Other
B-minor Mass 110 2 3 (2)   2 1 3 2 1 2 1 1 1 2  
Christmas Oratorio 140 2 2 (2)   1   3 2 1 1 1 1 1 1  
St Matthew Passion 131 4 4 (4) (4)     3 2 1 4 2 3 7 2 VdG
St John Passion 134 2 2 1 2 1   3 2 1 2 1 3 3 1 VdG,L

Barber Time Picc Flute Oboe EH Clar BCl Bsn Contra Horn Tpt Tbn Tuba Timp Perc Harp Other
School for Scandal Ov 8 1 2 2 1 2 1 2   4 3 3 1 x 3/Tr,BD,C,Gl 1 Ce

Beethoven     The Beethoven section has gotten so big that he now has his own page. Click here.  

Berg Time Picc Flute Oboe EH Clar BCl Bsn Contra Horn Tpt Tbn Tuba Timp Perc Harp Other
Violin Cto 27 (2) 2 2 (1) 3 1 2 1 4 2 2 1 4 BD,C,SD,TT(l),G(h),Tr 1 (ASax)
7 Early Songs* 18 (1) 2 2 (1) 3 (1) 3 (1) 4 1 2   x 1 1 [S]

Berlioz Time Picc Flute Oboe EH Clar BCl Bsn Contra Horn Tpt Tbn Tuba Timp Perc Harp Other
Roman Carnival Ov 8 (1) 2 2 (1) 2   2   4 2/2 3   2 4/C,2Ta,Tr    
Benvenuto Cellini Ov 11 (1) 2 2   2 (1) 2   4 4/2 3 1 3/2 3/Tr,BD,C    

Bloch Time Picc Flute Oboe EH Clar BCl Bsn Contra Horn Tpt Tbn Tuba Timp Perc Harp Other
Cto Grosso No 1 24    For string orchestra and piano only.   
Suite Hébraïque 12   2 2   2   2   4 3     3 2/SD,TT,C 1  

Brahms     The Brahms section has gotten so big that he now has his own page. Click here.  

Bruch Time Picc Flute Oboe EH Clar BCl Bsn Contra Horn Tpt Tbn Tuba Timp Perc Harp Other
Violin Cto 1 24   2 2   2   2   4 2     2      

Chausson Time Picc Flute Oboe EH Clar BCl Bsn Contra Horn Tpt Tbn Tuba Timp Perc Harp Other
Sym in Bb, Op. 20* 32 1 2 2 1 2 1 3   4 4 3 1 x   2  

Conus Time Picc Flute Oboe EH Clar BCl Bsn Contra Horn Tpt Tbn Tuba Timp Perc Harp Other
Violin Cto*  23   3 2   2   2   4 2 3   X      

Delius Time Picc Flute Oboe EH Clar BCl Bsn Contra Horn Tpt Tbn Tuba Timp Perc Harp Other
Florida Suite** 38                                

Dukas Time Picc Flute Oboe EH Clar BCl Bsn Contra Horn Tpt Tbn Tuba Timp Perc Harp Other
Sorcerer’s Apprentice 12 1 2 2   2 1 3 1 4 2/2 3   3 4/C,Tr,BD,Gl 1  

Dvorak Time Picc Flute Oboe EH Clar BCl Bsn Contra Horn Tpt Tbn Tuba Timp Perc Harp Other
Carnival Ov 9 1 2 2 1 2   2   4 2 3 1 2 3/C,Ta,Tr,SD 1  
Sym 7 35 1 2 2   2   2   4 2 3   2      
Sym 8 36 (1) 2 2 (1) 2   2   4 2 3 1 2      
Sym 9 (New World) 40   2 2 1 2   2   4 2 3 1 3 1/C,Tr    
Violin Cto 32   2 2   2   2   4 2     2      
Cello Cto 39 (1) 2 2   2   2   3 2 3 1 3 Tr    

Elgar Time Picc Flute Oboe EH Clar BCl Bsn Contra Horn Tpt Tbn Tuba Timp Perc Harp Other
Cello Cto 28 (1) 2 2   2   2   4 2 3 1 3      

Glazunov Time Picc Flute Oboe EH Clar BCl Bsn Contra Horn Tpt Tbn Tuba Timp Perc Harp Other
Violin Cto 20 (1) 3 2   2   2   4 2 3   2 3/C,Tr,Gl 1  

Glinka Time Picc Flute Oboe EH Clar BCl Bsn Contra Horn Tpt Tbn Tuba Timp Perc Harp Other
Russlan & Ludmilla Ov 4   2 2   2   2 1 4 2 3   3      

Green, Edward Time Picc Flute Oboe EH Clar BCl Bsn Contra Horn Tpt Tbn Tuba Timp Perc Harp Other
Overture in G 5 1 2 2   2   2   4 2 3 1 2 2*    
*M, Cl, SC, WB, Gl, Gu, FC, SD, BD, SS, FD. All this AND the timpani can be played by two players total.
Music for
Shakespeare		 20   1 2   1   1   2 1     2 1*    
*BD, FD, SD, Cl, WC, WB, SC, Ta, FC. All this AND the timpani can be played by one player total.
Tpt Cto in C 13   1 2   1   1   2       2 1*    
*BD, To, SD, RS, WB, SC, FC, Gl. All this AND the timpani can be played by one player total.

Humperdinck Time Picc Flute Oboe EH Clar BCl Bsn Contra Horn Tpt Tbn Tuba Timp Perc Harp Other
Hansel & Gretel Ov 8 1 2 2   2   2   4 2 3 1 3 2/C,Ta,Tr    

Khachaturian Time Picc Flute Oboe EH Clar BCl Bsn Contra Horn Tpt Tbn Tuba Timp Perc Harp Other
Sym 2* 43 (1) 3 3 (1) 4   2   4 3 3 1 x 4 1 (E),P
Spartacus Suite 1* 26 (1) 3 3 (1) 3 (1) 2   4 4 3 1 x 5 1 Ce,P
Spartacus Suite 2* 21 (1) 3 3 (1) 3 (1) 2   4 3 3 1 x 4 1 P
Spartacus Suite 3* 16 (1) 3 3 (1) 3 (1) 2   4 3 3 1 x 5 1 P
Violin Cto 35 1 2 2 1 2   2   4 3 3 1 2 3/Ta,C,SD,BD 1  

Lehár Time Picc Flute Oboe EH Clar BCl Bsn Contra Horn Tpt Tbn Tuba Timp Perc Harp Other
Merry Widow Ov* 3   2 2   2   2   4 2 3   2 C,Tr    
Merry Widow Waltz** 2   2 2   2   2   4 2 3   2 C,Tr    

Mahler     The Mahler section has gotten so big that he now has his own page. Click here.  

Mendelssohn Time Picc Flute Oboe EH Clar BCl Bsn Contra Horn Tpt Tbn Tuba Timp Perc Harp Other
Hebrides (Fingal’s Cave) Ov 10   2 2   2   2   2 2     2      
Sym 3 (Scottish) 36   2 2   2   2   4 2     2      
Sym 4 (Italian) 26   2 2   2   2   2 2     2      
Sym 5 (Reformation) 28   2 2   2   2 1 2 2 3   2      
Violin Cto 29   2 2   2   2   2 2     2      

Mozart     The Mozart section has gotten so big that he now has his own page. Click here.  

Offenbach Time Picc Flute Oboe EH Clar BCl Bsn Contra Horn Tpt Tbn Tuba Timp Perc Harp Other
Orpheus in Underworld Ov 9   1 2   2   2   4 2 3 1 2   1  

Rachmaninoff Time Picc Flute Oboe EH Clar BCl Bsn Contra Horn Tpt Tbn Tuba Timp Perc Harp Other
Piano Cto 1 26   2 2   2   2   4 2 3   2 Tr,Cym    
Piano Cto 2 34   2 2   2   2   4 2 3 1 3 2/Cym,BD    
Piano Cto 3 40   2 2   2   2   4 2 3 1 3 2/SD,Cym,BD    
Piano Cto 4* 29 1 2 2 1 2   2   4 2 3 1 x 5    

Respighi Time Picc Flute Oboe EH Clar BCl Bsn Contra Horn Tpt Tbn Tuba Timp Perc Harp Other
Pines
of Rome		 20 1 2 2 1 2 1 2 1 4* 3* 4*†   3 5** 1 Ce,P,O,6B*
*Buccine parts can be played on 2 each trumpets, horns, and trombones in addition to what’s listed here.
†4th orchestral trombone part can be played by tuba.
**Tape player playing a specific tape of nightingale songs; Tr, C, 2 small C, Ta, BD, TT, R, B.
Fountains
of Rome		 16 1 2 2 1 2 1 2   4 3 3 1 4 2/Tr,C,Gl,B 2 Ce,P,O
Roman
Festivals		 24 (1) 3 2 1 3* 1 2 1 4 4 3 1 4 9**   P,P4,O,M,3B
*One is a D clarinet  **Ta, R, SB, SD, TD, BD, Tr, C, TT, Gl, B, X, WB.

Saint-Saëns Time Picc Flute Oboe EH Clar BCl Bsn Contra Horn Tpt Tbn Tuba Timp Perc Harp Other
Cello Cto 1 18   2 2   2   2   2 2     2      
Violin Cto 3* 29 (1) 2 2   2   2   2 2 3   x      

Schönberg Time Picc Flute Oboe EH Clar BCl Bsn Contra Horn Tpt Tbn Tuba Timp Perc Harp Other
Chamber Sym 1 20   1 1 1 2* 1 1 1 2             **
This is the original “Chamber” version (Op. 9, 1906).
*One of these is full-time D/Eb Cl. **Only 5 string players (2 Vln, Vla, Vcl, CB).
Chamber Sym 1* 20 (1) 3 3 (1) 3* (1) 3 (1) 4 2 3          
This is the full-orchestra version (Op. 9b, 1935). *One of these doubles Eb.
Chamber Sym 2 17 (1) 2 2 (1) 2   2   2 2            
Gurre-Lieder* 99 (4) 8 5 (2) 7* (2) 5 (2) 10** 7*** 7 1 x **** 4 *****
*2 of these also double Eb. **7th-10th also double Wagner tuba. ***Including 1 bass trumpet.
****6 players, 11 instruments. *****Ce; 3x[[4-part male]], 1x[[8-part mixed]], [SATTB], Speaker.

Schubert Time Picc Flute Oboe EH Clar BCl Bsn Contra Horn Tpt Tbn Tuba Timp Perc Harp Other
Sym 9
(Great C-Major)		 48-61*   2 2   2   2   2 2 3   2      
*Without/with repeats, one assumes. Daniels says 48; I have a couple of recordings that are in the 60-61 range.

Schumann Time Picc Flute Oboe EH Clar BCl Bsn Contra Horn Tpt Tbn Tuba Timp Perc Harp Other
Sym 1 34   2 2   2   2   4 2 3   3 Tr    
Sym 2 37   2 2   2   2   2 2 3   2      
Sym 3 33   2 2   2   2   4 2 3   2      
Sym 4 28   2 2   2   2   4 2 3   2      
Piano Cto 31   2 2   2   2   2 2     2      
Cello Cto 22   2 2   2   2   2 2     2      
Concertstück
for 4 Horns*		 21 1 2 2   2   2   2* 2 3   x      
*That’s 2 in the orchestra, in addition to the 4 soloists.

Shostakovich Time Picc Flute Oboe EH Clar BCl Bsn Contra Horn Tpt Tbn Tuba Timp Perc Harp Other
Festive Ov* 7 1 2 3   3   2 1 4 3 3 1 x 4    
Sym 5* 44 1 2 2   2   2 1 4 3 3 1 x 4 2 E

Sibelius Time Picc Flute Oboe EH Clar BCl Bsn Contra Horn Tpt Tbn Tuba Timp Perc Harp Other
Violin Cto 34   2 2   2   2   4 2 3   2      
Swan of Tuonela* 9     1 1   1 2   4   3   x 1 1  
Sym 1 39 (2) 2 2   2   2   4 3 3 1 3 2/BD,C,Tr 1  
Sym 2 41   2 2   2   2   4 3 3 1 2      
Sym 3 29   2 2   2   2   4 2 3   x      
Sym 4 34   2 2   2   2   4 2 3   x 1    
Sym 5 30   2 2   2   2   4 3 3   3      
Sym 6* 24   2 2   2 1 2   4 3 3   x   1  
Sym 7* 21 (2) 2 2   2   2   4 3 3   x      

Skolnik, Walter Time Picc Flute Oboe EH Clar BCl Bsn Contra Horn Tpt Tbn Tuba Timp Perc Harp Other
Serenade
for Cello		 14   2 2   2   2   2 2 2   3 *    
*3 players: SD,BD,C,Ta,Tr,Gl,TT

Smetana Time Picc Flute Oboe EH Clar BCl Bsn Contra Horn Tpt Tbn Tuba Timp Perc Harp Other
Bartered Bride Ov 5 1 2 2   2   2   4 2 3   2      

Strauss, R. Time Picc Flute Oboe EH Clar BCl Bsn Contra Horn Tpt Tbn Tuba Timp Perc Harp Other
Metamorphosen* 28 For 23 solo strings: 10 violins, 5 violas, 5 cellos, 3 basses
Horn Cto 1* 16   2 2   2   2   2 2     x      
Don Quixote 41 1 2 2 1 2 1 3 1 6 3 3 1 * 2/** 1 ***
*Looks like at least 4 drums. **BD,C,WM,Ta,Gl,Tr.
***Eb clar, tenor tuba, plus of course the solo violin, viola, and cello
Don Juan* 17 (1) 3 2 1 2   2 1 4 3 3 1 x 3 1  
Rosenkavalier
Suite*		 20 1 2 2 1 2 1 2 1 4 3 3 1 x 5 1 E,Ce

Suppé Time Picc Flute Oboe EH Clar BCl Bsn Contra Horn Tpt Tbn Tuba Timp Perc Harp Other
Morn,Noon,Nt/Vienna 9 (1) 2 2   2   2   4 2 3   3 2/SD,BD    
Light Cavalry 8 (1) 2 2   2   2   4 2 3     3/SD,BD+C,Ta    
Pique Dame* 8 (1) 2 2   2   2   4 2 3 1 x 4    
Beautiful Galatea 8 (1) 2 2   2   2   4 2 3   2 2/SD,BD,Tr    
Jolly Robbers* 7 (1) 2 2   2   2   4 2 3   x 2   G
Poet and Peasant 10 (1) 2 2   2   2   4 2 3 1 3 1/BD+C 1  

Tchaikovsky Time Picc Flute Oboe EH Clar BCl Bsn Contra Horn Tpt Tbn Tuba Timp Perc Harp Other
Sym 4 43 1 2 2   2   2   4 2 3 1 3 3/Tr,BD,C    
Sym 5 49 (1) 3 2   2   2   4 2 3 1 3      
Sym 6 47 (1) 3 2   2   2   4 2 3 1 3 2/C,BD,TT    
Romeo & Juliet Ov 19 1 2 2 1 2   2   4 2 3 1 3 2/C,BD 1  
Capriccio Italien 16 (1) 3 2 1 2   2   4 2/2 3 1 3 4/Gl,Tr,Ta,BD,C 1  
Violin Cto 32   2 2   2   2   4 2     2      
Rococo Variations 17   2 2   2   2   2              
Piano Cto 1 32   2 2   2   2   4 2 3   3      

Vaughan Williams Time Instrumentation
Thomas Tallis Fantasia 14    Double string orchestra plus string soloists only. Orchestra II is 2-2-2-2-1.   

Verdi Time Picc Flute Oboe EH Clar BCl Bsn Contra Horn Tpt Tbn Tuba Timp Perc Harp Other
Forza del Destino Ov 8 1 1 2   2   2   4 2 3 1 2 BD 2  
Requiem* 97 (1) 3 2   2