Percy Grainger
Dollar and a Half a Day
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Composer:Percy GraingerGenre:ChoralStyle:ChoralCompose Date:Jan 1908 - Jun 27, 1909Publication Date:1922Average_duration:3:33"Dollar and a Half a Day" is a composition by Australian-born composer Percy Grainger. It was composed in 1940 and premiered in 1941 by the NBC Symphony Orchestra conducted by Arturo Toscanini. The piece is a set of variations on the American folk song "The Buffalo Skinners," which tells the story of a group of cowboys who go on a buffalo hunt and are cheated out of their wages by their employer. The composition is divided into three movements. The first movement is a slow and mournful introduction, featuring a solo horn playing the melody of "The Buffalo Skinners." The second movement is a set of variations on the melody, with each variation featuring a different instrument or group of instruments. The variations range from quiet and introspective to loud and boisterous, and include solos for flute, clarinet, trumpet, and trombone. The third movement is a fast and lively finale, featuring a driving rhythm and a series of virtuosic solos for various instruments. One of the characteristics of "Dollar and a Half a Day" is Grainger's use of folk melodies and rhythms. Grainger was known for his interest in folk music, and he often incorporated folk melodies into his compositions. In "Dollar and a Half a Day," he takes a simple folk melody and transforms it into a complex and virtuosic work for orchestra. Another characteristic of the piece is its use of unusual instrumental techniques. Grainger was known for his experimentation with new sounds and techniques, and "Dollar and a Half a Day" features a number of unconventional techniques, such as flutter-tonguing for the flute and trombone, and glissandi for the strings. Overall, "Dollar and a Half a Day" is a lively and engaging work that showcases Grainger's skill as a composer and his love of folk music. Its use of folk melodies and unconventional instrumental techniques make it a unique and memorable addition to the orchestral repertoire.More....
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