Parade of the tin soldiers

The piece begins with a fanfare-like idea before the first main theme, a cheerful march; every measure begins with a triplet figure, and the first trumpet takes the lead. The middle section of the Parade is assisted in by the lower brass introducing a new melody, this time played by two muted trumpets with supporting woodwind decorations and a lyrical countermelody for high register cellos. Then comes a return of the first idea and a block reprise of the entire first section of the work, with a brief coda.