La danse des chevaliers by Serguei Prokofiev

La Danse des Chevaliers by Sergueï Prokofiev, arranged by Julien Bourgeois, is a striking and powerful adaptation of the iconic movement from the ballet *Romeo and Juliet*. This arrangement for percussion ensemble brings the raw energy, drama, and grandeur of the original orchestration into a contemporary, rhythmically driven setting that captivates both performers and audiences.

Originally composed as part of Prokofiev’s ballet score in 1935, *La Danse des Chevaliers* is known for its bold harmonic language and its martial, almost ceremonial character. In this percussion ensemble version, Bourgeois skillfully distributes the melodic, harmonic, and rhythmic material across a variety of instruments, allowing the ensemble to explore dynamic contrast, texture, and ensemble coordination while preserving the music’s brooding power.

This arrangement is best suited for advanced high school, conservatory, or university-level ensembles. It calls for a large percussion setup that includes melodic instruments like marimba and vibraphone, as well as an array of unpitched percussion such as timpani, bass drum, cymbals, and snare. The piece is often used as a dramatic concert closer or centerpiece due to its theatrical intensity and well-known thematic material.

Key Features:

• Instrumentation: Large percussion ensemble
• Difficulty: Advanced
• Based on Prokofiev’s original *Romeo and Juliet* ballet score
• Rich with dynamic contrast, layered textures, and ensemble interplay
• Arranged by Julien Bourgeois and published by Alfonce Production

Explore more in our Ensemble Music collection at Southern Percussion.

For more information or to browse related works, visit the official Alfonce Production website.

La Danse des Chevaliers is a masterfully arranged piece that retains the drama and sophistication of Prokofiev’s ballet music while giving percussionists a thrilling vehicle for performance. It demands precision, intensity, and musical awareness — making it an unforgettable experience for both players and audiences.