Cutting of the Hay, The

From Wind Repertory Project
Percy Aldridge Grainger

Percy Aldridge Grainger (orch. Brian S. Wilson)


This article is a stub. If you can help add information to it,
please join the WRP and visit the FAQ (left sidebar) for information.


General Info

Year: 1908 / 1998
Duration: c. 4:50
Difficulty: (see Ratings for explanation)
Original Medium: Voice and piano
Publisher: G. Schirmer
Cost: Score and Parts (print) - $65.00   |   Score Only (print) - $7.50


Instrumentation

Full Score
C Piccolo
Flute I-II
Oboe I-II
Bassoon I-II
Contrabassoon
E-flat Soprano Clarinet
B-flat Soprano Clarinet I-II-III-IV
E-flat Alto Clarinet
B-flat Bass Clarinet
B-flat Soprano Saxophone
E-flat Alto Saxophone
B-flat Tenor Saxophone
E-flat Baritone Saxophone
B-flat Cornet I-II-III-IV
Horn in F I-II-III-IV
Trombone I-II
Bass Trombone
Euphonium
Tuba
String Bass
Timpani
Percussion

(percussion detail desired)


Errata

None discovered thus far.


Program Notes

Concert bands everywhere will be thrilled to perform these new editions of Percy Grainger folk song settings, arranged for band by Brian S. Wilson. Originally published for voice and piano, both have been scored for band with the distinctive orchestration techniques that create the Grainger sound.

- Program Note from publisher


This arrangement is the end product of my dissertation, Orchestrational Archetypes in Percy Grainger's Wind Band Music. In an attempt to understand the enigmatic style of Grainger's wind band music, I made a detailed analysis of his recurring orchestrational practices with regard to melody, countermelody, part writing, and contrapuntal dynamics. I concluded that the Grainger "sound" is a function of recurring orchestrational techniques, rather than other compositional elements such as melody or harmony. This information was then used to "dish up" selected Grainger voice and piano pieces in his own idiosyncratic style.

The Cutting of the Hay, like Molly on the Shore and Irish Tune from County Derry, is based on melodies found in the Complete Petrie Collection of Ancient Irish Music, edited by Charles Villiers Stanford. Grainger freely arranged these tunes for piano in 1908. The original is in A Minor and remains so in the band version.

- Program Note by Brian S. Wilson


Media


State Ratings

  • New York: Concert Band V


Performances

To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project


Works for Winds by This Composer

Adaptable Music


All Wind Works


Resources