Eight British and American Folksongs
(1943) (Acht englische und amerikanische Volkslieder)for low voice (male or female) and orchestra
Duration: 16'
Scoring
2.2(II=corA).2.2-4.1.0.0-timp.perc:tgl/tamb/glsp-hp-strings
Territory
This work is available from Boosey & Hawkes
/ Sikorski for the UK, British Commonwealth (excluding Canada), Republic of Ireland, Germany, Switzerland, Denmark, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Netherlands, Spain, Portugal, Greece, Turkey, Israel.
World premiere incomplete
28/05/1943
Moscow
Mark Reshetin, bass / Larissa Yelchaninova, sop
World premiere complete
06/03/1944
Moscow
Mark Reshetin, bass
Repertoire Note
1. The Sailor’s Bride (Mickle)
2. John Anderson, my Jo (Burns)
3. Billy Boy
4. Oh! the Oak and the Ash
5. Servants of King Arthur
6. Coming thro’ the Rye (Burns)
7. Spring Round Dance
8. When Johnny Comes Marching Home
This very little known cycle of British and American folk-songs was arranged during the Second World War, apparently as a gesture of solidarity with the allied nations. It is a thoroughly unexpected piece and an attractive concert item
Among the tunes Shostakovich chose were some very famous ones, including ‘Blow the wind southerly’ (No.1), Billy Boy (No.3) and ‘Come, lasses and lads’ (No.7).
Note by Gerard McBurney
