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Variations on an English Pastoral Theme By Rick England Grade Level: 3 The Highland/Etling String Orchestra Series A DIVISION OF INSTRUMENTATION Conductor Score 1 Violin I 8 Violin II 8 Viola 5 Cello 5 String Bass 5 V ARIATIONS ON AN ENGLISH P ASTORAL THEME Variations on an English Pastoral Theme is based on the tune “Brother James’s Air.” This version began life as a fall orchestral audition etude. When the composer noticed that he was still hearing students play it in March, he realized the variations had captured the imagination of the players and had potential as an educational tool to teach expressive playing. At the heart of the piece is the opening violin solo melody, which is rather free-form in a wistful, quasi-improvisatory folk style— as if played while sitting outdoors on a rock. The melody wanders in and out of modal territory in the manner of early 20th century English string suites. Subsequent variations feature guitar-like accompaniment, duets, fragments of melodic material for each instrument, and a wide range of sweeping dynamic contrasts. The piece closes quietly, as it began, but in a new key with the solo in the cello. The piece honors the composer’s mother who in her last years found great joy in the simple pleasures of watching the birds outside her window and listening to children make music. Alfred Publishing Co., Inc. 16320 Roscoe Blvd., Suite 100 • P.O. Box 10003 Van Nuys, CA 91410-0003 www.alfred.com Preview Only Legal Use Requires Purchase

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Variations on an EnglishPastoral Theme

By Rick England

Grade Level: 3

T h e H i g h l a n d / E t l i n g S t r i n g O r c h e s t r a S e r i e s

A DIVIS ION OF

I N S T R U M E N T A T I O N

Conductor Score 1Violin I 8Violin II 8Viola 5Cello 5String Bass 5

VARIATIONS ON AN ENGLISH PASTORAL THEME

Variations on an English Pastoral Theme is based on the tune“Brother James’s Air.” This version began life as a fall orchestralaudition etude. When the composer noticed that he was stillhearing students play it in March, he realized the variations hadcaptured the imagination of the players and had potential as aneducational tool to teach expressive playing.

At the heart of the piece is the opening violin solo melody, whichis rather free-form in a wistful, quasi-improvisatory folk style—as if played while sitting outdoors on a rock. The melodywanders in and out of modal territory in the manner of early 20thcentury English string suites. Subsequent variations featureguitar-like accompaniment, duets, fragments of melodicmaterial for each instrument, and a wide range of sweepingdynamic contrasts. The piece closes quietly, as it began, but in anew key with the solo in the cello.

The piece honors the composer’s mother who in her last yearsfound great joy in the simple pleasures of watching the birdsoutside her window and listening to children make music.

Alfred Publishing Co., Inc.16320 Roscoe Blvd., Suite 100 • P.O. Box 10003Van Nuys, CA 91410-0003

www.alfred.com

Previe

w Only

Legal Use R

equires P

urchase