Love's Red Rose
a setting of "My Love is Like a Red Red Rose" by Robert Burns
Allan Gilliland
Ensemble: Wind Ensemble
Grade: 5
Duration: 05:30
Year of Composition: 2011
Publisher: Canadian Music Centre
Year of Publication: 2012
Publisher Catalog Number: MI 1800 G481lo
Available: Yes
How to Acquire: Publisher, Purchase
Links:
Piccolo
Flutes 1,2
Oboe 1
Oboe 2/English Horn
Bassoons 1,2
B♭ Clarinets 1,2,3
B♭ Bass Clarinet
E♭ Alto Saxes 1,2 (B♭ Soprano Sax)
B♭ Tenor Sax
E♭ Baritone Sax
F Horns 1,2,3,4
B♭ Trumpets 1,2,3 (Flugelhorns)
Trombones 1,2
Bass Trombone
Euphonium
Tuba
Double Bass
Timpani
Percussion 1-3
Orchestration by the composer of the slow section of his "Gaol's Ruadh Rús", concerto for two harps and orchestra.
Program Notes:
Love’s Red Rose was written for Nora Bumanis and Julia Shaw. I was asked in 2001 by Nora, harpist for the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra, if I would be interested in writing a double harp concerto for her and her duo partner Julia. Her only request was that I incorporate the Robert Burns song "My Love is Like a Red Red Rose". This idea arose because at the time Nora had just performed this piece at a memorial service for Nancy Fairley, a long-time and beloved member of the ESO Board of Governors. At first I thought I would just hint at the tune but as the work grew it became the central material of the slow section and lead me to call the entire Concerto Gaol's Ruadh Rús, which is Gaelic for "Love's Red Rose". After the premiere Nora and Julia asked if I could adapt the slow section as a stand-alone duet. This adaptation begins with some bold chords stated with a rhythm known as the "Scottish Snap" which are followed by a series of arpeggios leading into my setting of "My Love is Like a Red Red Rose". The melody is first played in a light and ethereal style then repeated in a more bold manor. The piece ends with the opening chords.
(Program note by Allan Gilliland)
