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VARIATIONS ON A KOREAN FOLK SONG (NMC)
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THIS SONG CONSISTS OF 5 VARIATIONS OF THE KOREAN FOLK SONG 'ARIRANG' WHICH THE COMPOSER, JOHN BARNES CHANCE, HEARD AS A SOLDIER IN KOREA. HE DIED TRAGICALLY IN 1972. WRITTEN IN 1965, PERFORMED AT THE NATIONAL MUSIC CAMP BY H.S. CONCERT BAND #1.
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Contemporary band compositions, classical music arrangements, marches, jazz, symphonies, overtures. A collection from bands that I have played in throughout hi
Hello and welcome! "Symphonic Band Performances" is a compilation of recordings from several high school and college bands that I played in including the TMEA (Texas) All State Band, the TMEA Region X All Region Band, the Interlochen Arts Academy National Music Camp, the Cal Poly Tech Band, San Luis Obispo, the USAF Golden West Band, and recordings from my h.s. band, Beaumont H.S. and a few band recordings that were passed down to me. Also included are various All State groups and college and university bands. I participated and played in the large majority of these recordings. There are no professional recordings here and every recording is Public Domain. Most are available for free download. Each song has been converted from the original analog or digital source and edited with Audacity or Dak software. In the majority of these recordings, I play the tenor sax or alto sax, b flat or e flat clarinet, or directing. I was drum major for 2 years in high school, I have a BA from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, where I studied music ed, composition and theory. I had about 500 more recordings I was planning to digitize and upload, but this past Nov. 20th, my home was completely destroyed by fire, and all the contents, including all my music and instruments. So, this is it. Please feel free to post a comment here or on my member page. If you like, please become a fan by clicking "I'm a fan" below.
Song Info
Genre
Classical • Symphonic
Charts
Peak #29
Peak in subgenre #1
Author
John Barnes Chance - 1965
Rights
public domain
Uploaded
April 17, 2009
Track Files
MP3
MP3 9.5 MB • 192 kbps • 6:55
Story behind the song
Variations on a Korean Folk Song is a major musical piece written for concert band by John Barnes Chance in 1965. As the name implies, Variations consists of a set of variations on the Korean folk song Arirang, which the composer heard while in Korea with the U.S. Army in the late 1950s. The theme is based upon a concert A major pentatonic scale. At the beginning of the song, the first part of the theme, resembling Arirang, is introduced quietly in the clarinets; the other instruments join in to play the second part.. The song then consists of five variations on this theme. The first variation, marked Vivace, turns the theme into a series of rapid sixteenth notes, played by the woodwinds (clarinets) and temple blocks at first and then the entire band. It ends with set of sixteenth notes played by the entire band in unison. The second variation, marked Larghetto, is much slower. The second part of the original theme is played in inversion—first by a solo oboe, then by the flutes, alto saxophones and french horns, and finally the original theme returns played by solo trumpet. The third variation, marked Allegro con brio, is a March in 6/8 time. The trumpets play a series of rapid eighth notes based on both parts of the theme; the woodwinds repeat this, and the march becomes more and more frenzied until it reaches its peak. At this point, the band plays a rapid descending whole tone scale starting in the highest voices and ending in the lowest. The fourth variation, marked Sostenuto, is much slower and is in 3/2 time. The theme is played by the woodwinds, and then the brass join in with a series of chords. The fifth and final variation, marked Con Islancio ("with impetuousness"), is faster and begins with a long solo in the percussion section. The piccolos and flutes join in, playing the second part of the theme, and then the brass enter playing the first part. This section is in 3/4 and is a hemiola; the brass play as if each measure were divided into two beats, while the woodwinds play three beats to a measure. For this reason, it is often conducted in one (i.e., the conductor only conducts the downbeat of each measure). The music grows louder and more excited and ends with a final quotation of the sixteenth note melody from the first variation. A typical performance of Variations on a Korean Folk Song lasts 7–8 minutes. John Barnes Chance (1932-1972) was born in Beaumont, Texas. In high school he played percussion in the school orchestra and began composing. Chance went on to study at the University of Texas where he received both bachelor's and master's degrees. His composition teachers included Clifton Williams, Kent Kennan, and Paul Pisk. After studying at the University of Texas, Chance played timpani in the Austin Symphony Orchestra. He also played percussion, conducted and arranged music for the Fourth U.S. Army Band in San Antonio. Later, he joined the Eighth U.S. Army Band in Korea. After his discharge from the army, Chance was selected by the Ford Foundation to be part of the Young Composers Project. He was composer-in-residence from 1960 to 1962 at Greensboro, North Carolina public schools. There he composed seven pieces for school ensembles including his first work for band, Nocturne and Dance, which later became Incantation and Dance. Throughout his short career, Chance composed for band, orchestra, chorus, chamber groups and solo instruments. Chance's brief yet successful career was ended abruptly when he was accidentally electrocuted in the back yard of his home in Lexington, Kentucky in 1972 at the age of 40.
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ALEXIS PATRICK
Oct 29, 2009
Very enchanting... beautiful song and performance!!!!