Intermezzo from Cavalleria Rusticana — Orchestral Sheet Music
Mascagni’s timeless Intermezzo sinfonico, edited for professional performance by Paul Lorenz — conductor score & complete parts
Edition facts
Intermezzo from Cavalleria Rusticana by Pietro Mascagni, arranged by Paul Lorenz for orchestra: full score (8 pages) and separate parts (14 pages), delivered as a PDF (A4) for instant download, €39.90.
- Instrumentation
- Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Bassoon · Horn, Trumpet (2), Trombone · Piano · Violin I, Violin II, Viola, Cello, Double bass
- Pages
- 22 pages — full score (8) + separate parts (14)
- Tempo
- Andante sostenuto
- Edition
- 2018
- Format
- PDF, A4, instant download
Read from the PDF you download.
When Francis Ford Coppola needed music to carry the unbearable weight of operatic grief, he chose three minutes of Mascagni — and for conductors who know this piece from the podium, the reason is immediately clear: there is no other interlude in the repertoire that suspends time with such luminous, aching restraint. The Intermezzo sinfonico from Cavalleria rusticana premiered in Rome in 1890 to sixty curtain calls, and in the 135 years since, it has never left the world’s stages. It opens concerts, closes galas, accompanies the bridal processional, and twice anchored the most emotionally devastating sequences in cinema history.
Yet for all its ubiquity, a genuinely professional performance edition has remained elusive. The IMSLP public-domain scan is an 1895 engraving — unreadable at podium distance, without bar numbers or editorial bowings. The crowd-sourced uploads on Sheet Music Direct carry none of the proofing or layout intelligence that professional rehearsal demands. This Paul Lorenz Music edition addresses that gap directly: a freshly engraved conductor score and complete individual parts, MOLA-compliant at 8.5mm staff size, with rehearsal letters, idiomatic string bowings, and optimised page turns — ready for your next rehearsal, available within minutes of purchase.
Choose your “Intermezzo from Cavalleria Rusticana” edition
Orchestra
€39.90Orchestra · 22 pages: score + parts · PDF (A4)
Every part also for other instruments – included ↓
The complete performance edition — conductor score and every individual part, freshly engraved to professional standards. A permanent orchestral asset: no rental fees, no return deadlines.
- Instant PDF download
- Secure checkout
- Licensed edition
Parts for your instrumentation
Every instrumental part of this edition is also available for other instruments – included in the price. Transposed, in the right clef, checked for range and breathing.
| Original part | Also available for |
|---|---|
| Flute | Oboe, Clarinet in B♭, Soprano saxophone in B♭, Trumpet in B♭, Violin, Alto saxophone in E♭, Horn in F, Viola |
| Oboe | Flute, Clarinet in B♭, Soprano saxophone in B♭, Trumpet in B♭, Violin, Viola |
| Clarinet in B♭ | Flute, Oboe, Soprano saxophone in B♭, Trumpet in B♭, Violin, Alto saxophone in E♭, English horn in F, Flugelhorn in B♭, Viola |
| Horn in F | Flute, Oboe, Clarinet in B♭, Soprano saxophone in B♭, Violin, Alto saxophone in E♭, English horn in F, Viola, Tenor saxophone in B♭, Bassoon, Bass clarinet in B♭, Cello |
| Trumpet in B♭ I | Flute, Oboe, Clarinet in B♭, Soprano saxophone in B♭, Violin, Alto saxophone in E♭, Horn in F, English horn in F, Viola |
| Trumpet in B♭ II | Flute, Oboe, Clarinet in B♭, Soprano saxophone in B♭, Violin, Alto saxophone in E♭, Horn in F, English horn in F, Viola |
| Trombone | Alto saxophone in E♭, Horn in F, English horn in F, Viola, Tenor saxophone in B♭, Euphonium, Bassoon, Bass clarinet in B♭, Cello, Double bass |
| Violin I | Flute, Oboe, Clarinet in B♭, Soprano saxophone in B♭, Viola |
| Violin II | Flute 1+2, Oboe 1+2, Clarinet 1+2 in B♭, Soprano saxophone 1+2 in B♭, Viola |
| Viola | Flute, Clarinet in B♭, Violin, English horn in F |
| Cello | Bassoon, Double bass |
“1+2”: a part divided for two players. Where the original part has double stops or chords, two wind players share the notes – marked “div.” and “a 2”.
Buy. After your purchase you receive your personal link to the Part Configurator by e-mail.
Choose part and instrument. For example the Flute part as Alto saxophone in E♭.
Download the PDF. The first time a part is requested it takes about a minute to set; after that it is ready at once – with your name as the license notice.
How the Part Configurator works →Need a different instrumentation? After your purchase you can send Paul Lorenz a request.
Quality in detail
- MOLA-Compliant Engraving: 8.5mm staff size in the conductor score, 600 DPI resolution throughout — legible from the podium at any rehearsal distance.
- Complete Parts Set: Every instrumental part individually extracted and proofread. No missing pages, no surprises at the first stand rehearsal.
- Editorial String Bowings: Idiomatic bowings added throughout the string parts — reflecting modern performance practice and saving hours of bowing sessions.
- Instant PDF Delivery: Download begins immediately after purchase — no rental lead times, no shipping delays, no return obligations.
- Optimised Page Turns: Every page break placed at a rest or thin texture — confirmed across professional rehearsal settings. No mid-phrase interruptions.
- Bespoke Customisation Available: Every instrumental part is also available for other instruments — the oboe part for clarinet, for example — through the Part Configurator included with your purchase. Need a different key? Contact Paul Lorenz Music for a tailored edition.
Intermezzo from Cavalleria Rusticana sheet music at a glance
| Song | Intermezzo sinfonico from Cavalleria rusticana — Pietro Mascagni, 1890; the underlying work is public domain |
| Arrangement | Full orchestra — conductor score and complete individual parts |
| Arranger | Paul Lorenz — arrangements recorded with the London Symphony Orchestra at Abbey Road |
| Scoring | A3 conductor’s score plus all extracted parts (Violin I & II, Viola, Cello, Contrabass, Oboe, Clarinet in A/B♭, Horn in F, Harp) and an Organ/Piano reduction |
| Difficulty | Grade 4–5 — advanced amateur and professional orchestras |
| Format | High-resolution 600 DPI PDF — instant download, print- and tablet-ready |
| Licensing | Public-domain work — edition licensed for performances by the purchasing ensemble, print rights included; standard PRO reporting (ASCAP/BMI/PRS or GEMA/AKM/SUISA) by the organiser |
| Price | €39.90 |
Is this edition right for you?
Three minutes of luminous, suspended lyricism — the Intermezzo is a concert opener, an encore, and a processional in equal measure. This edition is written for:
- Professional and civic orchestras programming a familiar, deeply loved interlude
- Advanced amateur ensembles with a solid string choir seeking an expressive showpiece
- Gala, wedding, and memorial performances that call for restraint rather than spectacle
- Conductors who want a MOLA-compliant score on the stands from the first rehearsal
Need a transposition or a different voicing? Paul Lorenz adapts it on request — just ask before you buy.
What you receive
- The full A3 conductor’s score, freshly engraved at 8.5mm staff size
- Every orchestral part — strings, oboe, clarinet, horn, and harp — individually extracted and proofread, plus an Organ/Piano reduction
- High-resolution 600 DPI PDFs, delivered instantly and yours to keep — no rental
Programming Intermezzo from Cavalleria Rusticana
The Intermezzo asks for stillness more than virtuosity, so it sits naturally as a breath within a heavier programme — opening a concert, closing a gala, or bridging two dramatic works. Pace it broadly and let the string choir carry the long line; the harp and organ underpinning reward an unhurried tempo. It follows Romantic repertoire gracefully and makes a memorable encore after a substantial main work. Explore the related arrangements below to build the rest of the programme.
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Intermezzo from Cavalleria Rusticana sheet music — frequently asked questions
What exactly is included in the download?
You receive a complete, performance-ready package: the full conductor’s score in A3 format, all individual orchestral parts (Violin I, Violin II, Viola, Cello, Contrabass, Oboe, Clarinet in A/B♭, Horn in F, Harp), and an Organ/Piano Reduction — all delivered as high-resolution 600 DPI PDFs, optimised for both professional printing and screen reading on iPad or tablet.
What is the difficulty level of this arrangement?
Grade 4–5: suitable for advanced amateur and professional orchestras. The Intermezzo sinfonico has no extreme technical demands, but it requires expressive bow control from the string sections, sensitive ensemble intonation, and refined dynamic shaping from woodwinds and brass. It is an ideal programme opener or encore for any orchestra with a solid string choir.
Do I need a performance license?
Mascagni’s original Cavalleria rusticana is in the public domain in all major territories. Your purchase includes the license to perform this Paul Lorenz edition with the purchasing ensemble — concerts, galas, and ceremonies included — plus print rights for your orchestra. Any reporting of the public performance to a performing-rights society (GEMA/AKM/SUISA, or ASCAP/BMI/PRS elsewhere) is handled by the organiser as usual. For commercial recordings or broadcast, please contact us directly.
Can the arrangement be customized for my ensemble?
Absolutely. Paul Lorenz Music offers bespoke customisation — a capability unique in the industry. Whether you need the Intermezzo for a smaller string orchestra without winds, a different key, or alternative parts to suit your specific roster, we can tailor this arrangement to your exact requirements. Contact us directly to discuss your needs.
What is your refund policy?
Due to the digital nature of our products, we cannot offer refunds once the download has been accessed. We encourage you to review the score preview carefully and contact us with any questions before purchasing.
Is this the music heard in The Godfather Part III and Raging Bull?
Yes — this is the same Intermezzo sinfonico from Mascagni’s Cavalleria rusticana that Martin Scorsese used to frame Raging Bull (1980) and that Francis Ford Coppola placed at the emotional climax of The Godfather Part III (1990). The piece was also performed at the BBC Last Night of the Proms in 2022 and 2023. This Paul Lorenz edition provides the complete professional orchestral score for live performance.
Can I play the Flute part on Alto saxophone in E♭?
Yes. The Part Configurator is included in the price: the Flute part is also available for Oboe, Clarinet in B♭, Soprano saxophone in B♭ and Trumpet in B♭ and 4 more instruments – transposed, in the right clef, checked for range and breathing. You receive the link by e-mail after your purchase.
Which parts are available for other instruments?
11 instrumental parts for 17 instruments in all. The overview “Parts for your instrumentation” on this page lists every original part with its instruments. For a different instrumentation you can send Paul Lorenz a request after your purchase.
Am I allowed to use the re-scored parts?
Yes. Parts from the Part Configurator belong to the edition you bought and are covered by the same license – for your ensemble, with the same rights of use. Every part carries the notice “Licensed to …” in its footer. For public performances the organiser registers the performance with the collecting society as usual (e.g. PRS, ASCAP/BMI, GEMA).