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

Abbey Road Studios London Symphony Orchestra Vienna State Opera 500M+ Streams Gold & Double Platinum

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.

Choose your “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” edition

Orchestra & Vocals

€49.90

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.

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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 or different key? Contact Paul Lorenz Music for custom edits — a service unique in the world.
I’ve used ‘The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face’ as a ceremony opener for years — but I always had to adapt an inferior score, and the page turn in the second verse was a constant problem. Paul Lorenz’s orchestral edition solved that immediately: the strings balance perfectly against the vocal line, the measure numbers let us rehearse the climax in isolation, and we performed it at the Brucknerhaus Linz spring gala to a standing ovation before the soloist had even left the stage. Eva Hartmann, Principal Conductor, Linzer Konzertorchester

The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face sheet music — frequently asked questions

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 performance license PDF.

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 performance license grants rights to print and perform the arrangement within your ensemble. Public performances must be reported through your venue’s standard performing rights organization — GEMA, AKM, SUISA, ASCAP, or BMI as applicable. The license satisfies venue administration requirements and is included with every purchase at no additional cost.

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.