– Arrangement –
Johann Strauss II
Vergnügungszug
Polka (schnell)
op. 281
Arrangement for
Percussion Quartet
Leonhard Waltersdorfer

Quartet version

written by:
Johann Strauss II
arranged by:
Leonhard Waltersdorfer
AKM registration number:
26041700

This percussion quartet version of Johann Strauss’ Vergnügungszug forms one side of a double-sided edition together with the large percussion ensemble setting.

The arrangement plays with the image of a fast-moving train journey. Sound effects such as sandpaper blocks, bass drum played with a brush, and a train whistle evoke the characteristic noises of a steam locomotive, giving the piece a vivid and lightly theatrical character.

The quartet version presents a compact and clearly structured setting of the material.
Trio and large percussion ensemble versions of the work are also available.

Instrumentation

  • Xylophone, Glockenspiel & Sandpaper Blocks
  • Vibraphone
  • Marimba 1 (4⅓-octave)
  • Marimba 2 (5-octave) & Train Whistle

The sheet music for this work is published by Vienna Percussion Editions.