Linus and Lucy is a popular jazz pianocomposition written by Vince Guaraldi, appearing in many of the Peanutsanimated television specials. Named for the fictional siblings Linus and Lucyvan Pelt, it was released in 1964 on the Vince Guaraldi Trio's album Jazz Impressions of a Boy Named CharlieBrown. A Charlie Brown Christmas introduced thesong to a television audience of millions of children beginningin 1965. Since that special, the piece has introduced most of the Peanuts TVcartoons, with the exceptions of the specials and other TV programs producedbetween 1979 and 1992. It is one of the most recognizable pieces by Vince Guaraldi, and hasgained status as the de facto theme song of the Peanuts franchise. This arrangement in the original key is playable by either SSSB or SSAB Clarinet Quartet. Performance time is 3:10. Contact me at james.pybus@rogers.com.

Linus and Lucy
Program Notes

Linus and Lucy is a popular jazz piano composition writtenby VinceGuaraldi, used in many of the Peanutsanimatedtelevision specials. Named for the cartoon characters,siblings Linus and Lucy van Pelt,it was on the Vince Guaraldi Trio?s 1964 album Jazz Impressions of a BoyNamed Charlie Brown. In 1965, thesong Linus and Lucy was featured onthe television special, A Charlie Brown Christmas. Since 1965, the piece has introduced most ofthe Peanuts TV cartoons, just a few exceptions. It is one of the mostrecognizable pieces by composer Vince Guaraldi, and has become the de factotheme song of the Peanuts franchise.

This arrangement for Flexible Clarinet Choir or Clarinet Quartetcan be performed with as few as 4 players up to a full clarinet choir withmultiple players on a part. It is alsopossible to perform it as a quartet by leaving out the Flute 3 part, whichfills out the harmony. It is scored for EbClarinet (Part 1), 4 Bb Clarinets (Parts 1-4), EbAlto Clarinet (Part 4), Bb Bass Clarinet (Part 4).

Optionsfor Clarinet Quartet instrumentation are
EbClarinet (or Bb Clar. 1)
BbClarinet 2
BbClarinet 3,
AltoClarinet or Bass Clarinet or Bb Clarinets 4.

Cartoon
Popular
Television
Children
Comics
Jazz
Birthdays

Linus and Lucy was written and performed by jazz pianist, Vince Guaraldi. The original piano composition was named after the fictional siblings, Linus and Lucy, from the famous Charlie Brown cartoon. The music first aired on television during A Charlie Brown Christmas in 1964 and is now known as the Charlie Brown theme song.

The intent of this arrangement for clarinet quartet was to stay as close to the original as possible. However, the piece includes two jazz solos at rehearsals D and F which the performers may choose to improvise rather than play exactly as written. The most important concept of this piece for clarinet quartet is mastering and matching style between all players. Dynamics are also left to the discretion of the musicians.

Arrangement and Recording by Vanessa Klassen.