Variations on an Old Folk Song-Commissioned by the Schott publishing house the present variations on the song Greensleeves were written in 2000 by Genzmer who seized on the suggestion to write a cycle of variations on this Old English melody which had often served as a theme for variations in music history as for example in the famous anonymous cycle 'Greensleeves to a ground' (around 1700). Genzmer keeps the theme simple yet with great virtuosity and original harmony. All parts are written in a linear fashion. The four variations observe almost in a classical manner the principle of increasing differentiation and acceleration of therhythm.Variation 1 uses crotchets and quavers as well as semiquaver triplets whereas Variation 2 uses semiquavers throughout and Variation 3 the somewhat faster semiquaver triplets. Variation 4 stays on this fast rhythmic level with semiquavers and semiquaver triplets. A rewarding piece for the 'Jugend musiziert' competition as well as for advanced lessons.
SKU: HL.49011303
ISBN 9790001129831. UPC: 884088053598. 9.0x12.0x0.063 inches.
In this recent work Genzmer merges the musical language of a traditional English love song with his own unmistakeably contemporary idiom. The four Variations and Coda are an attractively different take on a favorite old tune.
Harald Genzmer: Greensleeves GeWV 261: Treble Recorder: Score
