The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face — Orchestra Sheet Music
The 2× Grammy-winning romantic masterpiece, arranged for full Orchestra & Solo Vocals by Paul Lorenz
Edition facts
The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face by Ewan MacColl, arranged by Paul Lorenz for orchestra with soprano soloist: full score (11 pages) and separate parts (21 pages), delivered as a PDF (A4) for instant download, €49.90.
- Instrumentation
- Oboe · Horn, Trumpet, Trombone · Timpani, Drum kit · Piano · Violin I, Violin II, Viola, Cello, Double bass
- Soloists
- Soprano soloist
- Pages
- 32 pages — full score (11) + separate parts (21)
- Tempo
- ♩ = 60
- Format
- PDF, A4, instant download
Read from the PDF you download.
When Clint Eastwood first heard Roberta Flack’s recording of this song, he pulled his car to the side of the road — and then built the defining scene of his debut film around it. Written by Ewan MacColl in 1957 as a transatlantic love declaration, and transformed by Flack in 1972 into Billboard’s #1 single of the year and a double Grammy winner (Record of the Year, Song of the Year), “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” carries more concentrated romantic authority per bar than almost any other piece in the concert repertoire. Yet for decades, conductors looking for a performance-ready orchestral edition at concert-hall standard have found exactly nothing.
This full orchestra & vocal sheet music edition by Paul Lorenz is the definitive professional answer. Written for the concert hall — not background events — the arrangement expands the piece’s characteristic intimacy through a full symphonic palette without losing the emotional restraint that made Flack’s recording legendary. The score adheres to MOLA engraving standards: 8.5mm staves, measure numbers at every system, and page turns placed at natural musical rests. Download the complete conductor score and individual instrument parts instantly, and have your ensemble rehearsal-ready today.
Hear the arrangement
A 30-second excerpt from Paul Lorenz’ own studio recording of this arrangement.
Listen to the full recording Artyfile Stream · lossless Hi-FiChoose your “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” edition
Orchestra & Vocals
€49.90Orchestra with soprano soloist · 32 pages: score + parts · PDF (A4)
Every part also for other instruments – included ↓
The definitive edition for concert halls, wedding galas, and crossover programmes. Includes the full conductor score plus individually extracted parts for every section — ready for the stand, ready for performance.
- Instant PDF download
- Secure checkout
- Licensed edition
Piano / Vocal / Guitar
from €9.90
“The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” is also published in this scoring — with its own score preview and full details on the edition page.
View this 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 |
|---|---|
| Oboe | Flute, Clarinet in B♭, Soprano saxophone in B♭, Trumpet in B♭, Violin, Alto saxophone in E♭, English horn in F, Viola |
| Horn in F | Flute, Oboe, Clarinet in B♭, Soprano saxophone in B♭, Violin, Alto saxophone in E♭, English horn in F, Flugelhorn in B♭, Viola, Tenor saxophone in B♭, Euphonium, Bassoon, Bass clarinet in B♭, Cello, Double bass |
| Trumpet in B♭ | Flute, Oboe, Clarinet in B♭, Soprano saxophone in B♭, Violin, Alto saxophone in E♭, Viola |
| Trombone | Alto saxophone in E♭, Horn in F, English horn in F, Flugelhorn in B♭, Viola, Tenor saxophone in B♭, Euphonium, Bassoon, Bass clarinet in B♭, Cello, Double bass |
| Violin I | Oboe |
| Violin II | Flute, Oboe, Clarinet in B♭, English horn in F, Viola |
| Viola | Flute, Oboe, Clarinet in B♭, Soprano saxophone in B♭, Violin, Horn in F, English horn in F, Tenor saxophone in B♭, Bassoon, Bass clarinet in B♭, Cello |
| Cello | Bassoon, Double bass |
Buy. After your purchase you receive your personal link to the Part Configurator by e-mail.
Choose part and instrument. For example the Oboe 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 staves, measure numbers at every system — built for professional orchestral stands, not amateur printouts.
- Complete Instrument Set: Conductor score plus individual parts for every section — download once, hand out immediately.
- Concert-Hall Orchestration: Full strings, brass, woodwinds, piano, and percussion — the intimate grandeur of the Grammy-winning original, not a band reduction.
- 600 DPI Print Quality: Renders crisp on paper and on tablet (forScore, OnSong) — no pixelation at any zoom level.
- Bespoke Customization: Non-standard ensemble? Every instrumental part is also available for other instruments — the oboe part for alto saxophone, for example — through the Part Configurator included with your purchase. Different key? Contact Paul Lorenz Music for custom edits.
The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face sheet music at a glance
| Song | The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face — Ewan MacColl, 1957; made a two-time Grammy winner by Roberta Flack in 1972 |
| Arrangement | Full orchestra with solo vocals — strings, woodwinds, brass, piano, harp, timpani and percussion |
| Arranger | Paul Lorenz — arrangements recorded with the London Symphony Orchestra at Abbey Road |
| Scoring | Full A3 conductor score plus individually extracted parts for every section and a solo vocal score |
| Difficulty | Grade 4 — professional and advanced semi-professional orchestras |
| Format | High-resolution 600 DPI PDF — instant download, print- and tablet-ready (forScore, OnSong) |
| Licensing | Licensed for performances by the purchasing ensemble; public performances reported to your PRO (GEMA/AKM/SUISA or ASCAP/BMI/PRS) by the organiser as usual |
| Reference recording | Paul Lorenz’ own studio recording — sound sample on this page, complete on Artyfile Stream |
| Price | €49.90 |
Is this edition right for you?
Program this piece when you want a single, unhurried moment of concentrated romance to anchor a concert. This edition is written for:
- Professional and semi-professional orchestras performing with a lyric soprano or mezzo-soprano soloist
- Wedding galas and ceremony concerts that need a concert-hall opener rather than background music
- Crossover and pops programmes pairing popular repertoire with a full symphonic palette
- Conductors who need MOLA-standard engraving and clean page turns for 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 score, MOLA-compliant with 8.5mm staves and measure numbers at every system
- Individual parts for every string, woodwind, brass, percussion, keyboard and harp section, plus a solo vocal score, each individually extracted
- High-resolution 600 DPI PDFs, delivered instantly and yours to keep — no rental
Programming The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face
This is a piece to place where it can breathe — an opener that sets a hushed, expectant tone, or a still centre between more extroverted works. Its power lives in dynamic restraint, so give the string writing room and let the soloist lead the phrasing rather than pushing the tempo. It pairs naturally with other lyrical ballads and film-adjacent repertoire, and its arc rewards a programme that builds toward emotional weight rather than spectacle. Explore the related arrangements below to build the rest of the programme.
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The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face sheet music — frequently asked questions
Can I hear this arrangement before I buy?
Yes. The sound sample near the top of this page plays a 30-second excerpt of Paul Lorenz’ own studio recording of this arrangement, and the complete recording streams on Artyfile Stream — his lossless hi-fi service, where full playback requires a subscription.
What is included in the download?
You receive a complete, performance-ready package: the full conductor score in A3 format (8.5mm staves, MOLA-compliant), individual parts for all strings (Violin I, Violin II, Viola, Cello, Double Bass), woodwinds (Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Bassoon), brass (Horns, Trumpets, Trombone, Tuba), Timpani & Percussion, Piano, Harp, and a solo vocal score — all delivered as 600 DPI high-resolution PDFs, plus a license PDF covering use by your ensemble.
What is the difficulty level of this arrangement?
Grade 4 — Professional. The arrangement’s emotional power comes from dynamic contrast and restraint in the string writing, requiring experienced section principals. It is written for professional or advanced semi-professional orchestras. The vocal part suits a lyric soprano or mezzo-soprano with professional performance experience.
Does the performance license cover GEMA / AKM / SUISA reporting?
The included license grants the purchasing ensemble the right to print the parts and perform this arrangement. The public performance itself is reported to the responsible performing-rights society — GEMA in Germany, AKM in Austria, SUISA in Switzerland (ASCAP/BMI/PRS elsewhere) — by the organiser or ensemble as usual. For commercial recordings or broadcast use, please contact us directly.
Can the arrangement be customized for my ensemble?
Absolutely. Paul Lorenz Music offers bespoke customization services — a capability unique in the professional sheet music industry. Whether you need alternative instrumentation (e.g. saxophone instead of clarinet), a key transposition to suit your soloist’s range, or adjustments to accommodate 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.
Can I play the Oboe part on Alto saxophone in E♭?
Yes. The Part Configurator is included in the price: the Oboe part is also available for Flute, 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?
8 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).