Hamish MacCunn arr.Peter Lawson
HIGHLAND MEMORIES for orchestra
Goodmusic Concert Classics GMCL237
Catalogue Number: GMCL237
Difficulty level: E What's this?
ISMN: 9790222334557
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Orchestration: 2 Flutes (2nd db.Piccolo), 2 Oboes, 2 Clarinets in Bb, 2 Bassoons, 4 Horns in F, 2 Trumpets in Bb, 3 Trombones, Tuba
Timpani, Percussion [2 players: Cymbals (Susp & Clash), Tambourine, Bass Drum, Glockenspiel], Harp (or Keyboard)
Strings (Violin 1, Violin 2, Viola, Cello, Bass)
1. By the Burnside; 2. On the Loch; 3. Harvest Dance
Hamish MacCunn wrote these three delightful sketches in 1897 as versions for solo piano, piano duet and for violin and piano. He orchestrated them for a smaller than normal orchestra (without trombones, tuba and percussion) – the original autographed manuscript is in Glasgow University Library and Augener Edition published it, originally on sale for 2s 6d, later for hire only and now unavailable, possibly lost. The first performance was in the (since burned down) Crystal Palace, London, on the 13th March, 1897 by the Crystal Palace Orchestra, conducted by August Manns. The composer conducted it in the now defunct Queen’s Hall on 20th May, 1897 and it was also performed there in a Promenade Concert on 26th September, 1899. There does not appear to be any record of it being performed in this version since, though Adam Carse later arranged it for string orchestra.
I have therefore created a new orchestration to bring the piece deservedly back to life, including the above-mentioned brass and percussion (particularly appropriate in the last movement, the rumbustious Harvest Dance). A harp has also been added, for atmosphere and colour, in the first two movements (By the Burnside - with its glorious, pentatonic melody and almost Wagnerian middle section - and On the Loch, a gently lapping evocation of a trip, presumably, in a rowing boat). Peter Lawson
A PACK includes a full score plus a full set of wind, brass and percussion parts plus strings 4/4/3/4/2
Duration 9½ minutes
Timpani, Percussion [2 players: Cymbals (Susp & Clash), Tambourine, Bass Drum, Glockenspiel], Harp (or Keyboard)
Strings (Violin 1, Violin 2, Viola, Cello, Bass)
1. By the Burnside; 2. On the Loch; 3. Harvest Dance
Hamish MacCunn wrote these three delightful sketches in 1897 as versions for solo piano, piano duet and for violin and piano. He orchestrated them for a smaller than normal orchestra (without trombones, tuba and percussion) – the original autographed manuscript is in Glasgow University Library and Augener Edition published it, originally on sale for 2s 6d, later for hire only and now unavailable, possibly lost. The first performance was in the (since burned down) Crystal Palace, London, on the 13th March, 1897 by the Crystal Palace Orchestra, conducted by August Manns. The composer conducted it in the now defunct Queen’s Hall on 20th May, 1897 and it was also performed there in a Promenade Concert on 26th September, 1899. There does not appear to be any record of it being performed in this version since, though Adam Carse later arranged it for string orchestra.
I have therefore created a new orchestration to bring the piece deservedly back to life, including the above-mentioned brass and percussion (particularly appropriate in the last movement, the rumbustious Harvest Dance). A harp has also been added, for atmosphere and colour, in the first two movements (By the Burnside - with its glorious, pentatonic melody and almost Wagnerian middle section - and On the Loch, a gently lapping evocation of a trip, presumably, in a rowing boat). Peter Lawson
A PACK includes a full score plus a full set of wind, brass and percussion parts plus strings 4/4/3/4/2
Duration 9½ minutes