Borodin | Polovtsian Dances Overture | for woodwind quintet

ISMN#979-0-3071-0040-4

ASCAP WORK ID# 925552638

Mesmerize your listeners with this advanced-intermediate arrangement for woodwind quintet of Alexander Borodin's exhilarating "Polovtsian Dances Overture," an orchestral showpiece from his opera Prince Igor--instantly downloadable for your next performance. This arrangement offers a fun challenge for college ensembles and professional quintets. This iconic piece, a perennial favorite among orchestral winds, makes a great opener or closer for a recital and is perfect for contests, competitions, weddings, special events, and graduations. Instantly download this arrangement for your next performance directly from Craig Music Publishers.

Alexander Borodin began writing this captivating piece in 1869 as part of his opera Prince Igor. He left the work unfinished when he died in 1887. His friend, Niccolai Rimsky-Korsakov, the master of orchestration, completed these dances, giving us an exhilarating, captivating orchestral showpiece. This arrangement works well for woodwinds and offers an optional percussion part (tambourine); the piece works well either way. As always, I have included an alternate bass clarinet part in lieu of a missing bassoon. Originally scored for full orchestra, I hope you enjoy this unique setting for winds of Borodin's masterpiece.

To learn more about my inspiration for writing this Borodin arrangement, click here‍ ‍to read my CMP Blog Post‍.

Updated 20 Sep 2026