Variations on Simple Gifts
Variations on Simple Gifts begins with a quiet English Horn solo, gradually builds to a rich, full climax, and resolves to the quietest of endings
Title: Variations on Simple Gifts
Composer: Joseph Brackett/Tim Berens
Description: Variations on Simple Gifts is a set of variations on the lovely Shaker song, Simple Gifts. It begins with a haunting drone in the strings, that is harmonically and rhythmically vague, offering an ethereal opening to the piece. The English Horn states the melody the first time.
As the final note of the first verse is held, a gentle groove begins with triangle and timpani, which leads to a lively second verse, with flute, then oboe, the clarinet playing the melody. As the piece progresses, the rhythm becomes more lively and the Violins play the melody.
A rich, halftime brass choir plays the next chorus, with string parts inspired by Verdi. In the chorus that follows, a new, nimble groove begins and the melody is passed from section to section.
The piece finishes with a lush, full orchestra rendition of this timeless melody.
This piece appeared on a PBS special featuring Michael Johnathon.
Instrumentation: 2222/4331/Timp+2/Harp/Strings/
Length: 4:00
Rental Fee: $225.00 first performance. $75.00 per subsequent performance.
Sound Selection Performed by: The Ohio Valley Symphony, Tim Berens conducting
