TWO TOGETHER
An American Folk Music Suite by Stephen Cohnbr The suite starts with an orchestral overture followed by six pieces for chamber ensembles. Three different quartets were used for these six chamber works featuring flute, oboe, harp, cello, French horn, piano, bassoon, clarinet and viola. The instruments were chosen rather whimsically in response to the ideas that the melodies inspired.
Winner 2003 Parents' Choice Gold Music Award
Each of the six pieces, following the overture, is composed in the style of a free-handed theme and variations, and is based on a well known folk melody. The suite then culminates in an orchestral finale which brings the main musical ideas of the suite together. Two of the melodies used, Scarborough Fair and Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star, are actually European in origin but have been performed by so many American folk singers and have become such an integral part of our melting pot heritage that it seems appropriate to include them in an American Folk Music Suite. Folk music is, after all, a tradition which is passed down from mouth to mouth.
Running time: 60.05 minutes