Duke Ellington

Agra (from The Far East Suite)

This arrangement was written by Billy Strayhorn in 1963 and was first performed in Sweden on March 9, 1964. While on tour in Europe during that year Ellington introduced several pieces as Impressions of the Far East. At that time the Suite consisted of Amad, Agra, Bluebird of Delhi, and Depk. Agra and Bluebird of Delhi were written by Strayhorn and Amad and Depk were written by Ellington. As the notion for a full-length suite began to take shape several more pieces were composed: Ad Lib on Nippon and A Tourist Point of View, both composed by Ellington, and Mount Harissa and Blue Pepper, possibly composed by both Ellington and Strayhorn (scores have not been located for these two movements; hence, authorship is in question). Isfahan was recorded on December 20, 1966 to be included in the Far East Suite.
This is a baritone saxophone feature, written to showcase Harry Carney. The baritone saxophone part is as-written by Billy Strayhorn with the exception of the cadenza beginning at measure 34. We encourage the soloist to ad-lib freely at this point in the arrangement. However, the transcribed cadenza may serve as a model of what may be considered appropriate.

Ranges:
Trumpet 1: Bb5