In 1934 Sergei Prokofiev composed 'Lieutenant Kijé'. It is a symphonic suite originally written as a film score for Alexander Fayntsimmer's film adaptation of the novella 'Poruchik Kizje ('Lieutenant Kijé') by Yuri Tynyanov. In the novella Tynjanov outlines the military career of an officer who owes its origins to a simple typographical error by a military writer. Although he does not really exist, special adventures happen to him or are attributed to him.
The fourth movement of the suite is the 'Troika'. The principal melody in this movement is taken from an old Hussar song. The melody first appears in a slow and somewhat dissonant statement, after which the pace quickens: sleigh bells give the impression of a fast winter's journey by means of the troika, a traditional Russian three-horse sled. The ride is accompanied at regular intervals by the song theme, which brings the movement to its close with a slow repetition of its final phrase.'Dutch arranger transcribed this 'Troika' for Symphonic Band.