Composer

:

Bohuslav Martinu

Genre

:

Chamber

Style

:

Variations

Compose Date

:

Mar 12, 1959

Publication Date

:

1960

First Performance

:

Oct 17, 1959

Average_duration

:

9:37

Movement_count

:

6

Movement ....

Bohuslav Martinu's 'Variations on a Slovak Folksong, H. 378' is a composition for orchestra that was completed in 1959. The piece was premiered on October 22, 1959, by the Boston Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Charles Munch. The work consists of a theme and eight variations, with a coda that brings the piece to a close. The theme is a traditional Slovak folksong called "O jednej bábe" (About a Woman), which Martinu heard during his time in Slovakia in the 1920s. The theme is presented in a simple, unadorned manner, with the melody played by the strings and the accompaniment provided by the woodwinds. The first variation is a lively and rhythmic dance, with the melody passed between the different sections of the orchestra. The second variation is a slow and melancholy adagio, with the melody played by the oboe and the clarinet. The third variation is a scherzo, with a playful and syncopated rhythm that is reminiscent of a folk dance. The fourth variation is a lyrical and expressive andante, with the melody played by the strings and the woodwinds. The fifth variation is a fast and virtuosic allegro, with the melody played by the brass and the percussion. The sixth variation is a gentle and pastoral andante, with the melody played by the flute and the clarinet. The seventh variation is a lively and energetic allegro, with the melody played by the strings and the woodwinds. The eighth variation is a slow and contemplative adagio, with the melody played by the strings and the harp. The coda brings the piece to a close with a restatement of the theme, played in a grand and majestic manner by the full orchestra. Overall, 'Variations on a Slovak Folksong, H. 378' is a charming and colorful work that showcases Martinu's skill as a composer. The piece is characterized by its use of folk melodies and rhythms, as well as its inventive orchestration and lively sense of humor.

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