VALTZ No. 2 from "Suite for Variety Orchestra" by Dmitri Shostakovich Small Ensemble - Digital Sheet Music

SKU: A0.1666182

“Waltz No. 2” is one of the most beloved and widely recognized orchestral pieces by Russian composer Dmitri Shostakovich (1906–1975). Although often mistakenly associated with the Jazz Suite No. 2, the piece actually belongs to a different work titled Suite for Variety Orchestra, composed in the 1950s after World War II.

The confusion arose because the original manuscripts were lost or unpublished for decades, and the piece only resurfaced in 1999 thanks to a reconstruction by musicologist Gerard McBurney. Since then, “Waltz No. 2” has enjoyed tremendous international popularity, becoming emblematic of Shostakovich’s more accessible and ironically playful side.

The piece combines graceful, lyrical melodies with a hint of bittersweet nostalgia and subtle irony—hallmarks of Shostakovich’s musical voice. The orchestration includes saxophone, accordion, and light percussion, giving it a unique color that sits between salon music, European interwar jazz, and classical symphonic writing.

With its moderate tempo and gently swaying rhythm, the waltz carries a distinctly cinematic mood. Its popularity soared after it was featured in Stanley Kubrick’s 1999 film Eyes Wide Shut.

This version for quintet retains the original character of the piece while adapting it for a chamber ensemble. The melodic lines and harmonic textures are distributed across the instruments to preserve the dance-like elegance and theatrical flair. The clarinet alternates with the saxophone to approximate the timbre of the original orchestration, while the accordion and brass bring warmth and vibrancy to the sound palette.