Orchestral/Keyboard Composition of the Day, 11th and Final Installment:
"Variations for String Orchestra"
(Version for Keyboard 2006; Arranged for String Orchestra in 2009; Duration: 3:12)
This piece was originally composed for a call for scores by UK organist Paul Ayres in which he stipulated that submissions be composed for organ manuals based on music by George Frederic Handel. I took the melody from Handel's vocal work, "Dank sei dir, Herr" (Thank You, Lord), which I used to practice with my voice teacher at The Boston Conservatory, Wesley Copplestone, back in the late 1970s.
Instead of keeping the melody in the top voice, I made it into the cantus firmus in the bottom voice for the entire piece. The result is a charming, modal set of variations influenced mostly by the melodies and harmonies of 20th century English composers such as Vaughan Williams, with just a touch of Ravel's influence at the very end.
Follow the next URL to view and hear a scrolling score music video for "Variations for String Orchestra"
Follow the next URL to view and hear a scrolling score music video for "Variations on 'Dank sei dir, Herr'"
Both "Variations for String Orchestra" and "Variations on 'Dank sei dir, Herr'" were published by ECS Publishing Group in 2007. Follow the next link to visit the publisher's page for the full score of "Variations for String Orchestra." (Catalog No. 7489)
https://www.ecspublishing.com/variations-for-string-orchestra-score.html Please contact the publisher's distributing arm directly to order the instrumental parts. (Catalog No. 7490)
Company Main: 800-647-2117
Follow the next link to visit the publisher's page for full score of "Variations on 'Dank sei dir, Herr.'" (Catalog No. 6922)
I hope you enjoy both "Variations for String Orchestra" and "Variations on 'Dank sei dir, Herr'." Thank you for your time and attention.
Stanley M. Hoffman, PhD
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