Update Title: 72952D8D-79E1-4E4C-8B08-33D51038EECD

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These folksong arrangements were created to be concert presentations of familiar songs and
ballads. Classical forms and techniques, especially with an emphasis on theme and variations
constructions, are applied to the various verses of the songs. Delight is taken in exploring and
dramatizing this material.
"Buffalo Gals!" is the most straightforward of the three movements. The theme is stated by the
clarinet at the onset. Then follows an "embroidered" version of the theme, in triplets. An
interlude is inserted, followed by the theme in augmentation (twice as slowly) in the piano, with
the clarinet running up and down the scales in rapid counterpoint. A clarinet cadenza leads to
the ending. The mood is joyful throughout.
"Johnny Has Gone for a Soldier" is a dramatic treatment of the original song. After the first two
verses ("Here I sit on Buttermilk Hill....and "I'd sell my flax, I'd sell my wheel, to buy my love a
sword of steel"), a contrasting section is inserted, marked "to evoke the sounds of war, a military
drum." This section grows in dynamics and tempo to a climax, followed by a peaceful duet
between clarinet and piano, perhaps as mother and son sing to each other from afar. The military
sounds recur, the music grows in intensity and then fades into a quiet lament.
Humor takes its turn in the melodramatic treatment of "Frankie and Johnnie," a ballad about a
woman and her man who "done her wrong!" Each of the many verses of this song is presented
in a different guise – 1. introducing the characters; 2. Frankie and Johnnie are out walking;
3. Johnnie has on his new suit (the piano is marked "proudly prancing"); 4. Frankie fears that
Johnnie is "doing her wrong" (marked "anguished"); 5. they quarrel; 6. Frankie laments the
fight with Johnnie; 7. Frankie and Johnnie reconcile and walk off together joyfully (and Frankie is
proud that she stood up for herself!).
The colorful character of these songs has inspired this three-part set. It is hoped that these new
arrangements will provide material for clarinetists and pianists to display their musical skills
within an entertainment setting.

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