I Had Five Long Years
I Had Five Long Years
String Quartet
This single movement work is structured as follows: [A -- variation1(a) -- var2(a) -- B -- var1(b) -- var2(b) -- var2(c)-- var1(c) -- C]. Capital letters refer to themes, "var" refers to the different variations upon those themes. Although there is only one continuous movement, it is divided into three sections with the aforementioned contrasting variations. "A" is a transcription of a prison work song "I had five long years' recorded at the notorious Angola State Penitentiary in Louisiana in 1959 by Harry Oster (released on Folk-Lyric Recording Co., Louisiana Folklore Society). The original singer was James Russell and some other inmates.
To appreciate the anguish and bitterness behind these prison songs, one must become familiar with the outrageous conditions to which inmates were subjected during its worst years. "B" is a transcription of the railroad song, "John Henry' as sung by Rich Amerson, a transient from Alabama as recorded by Harold Courlander in 1956 for Folkways Records. "I ain't proud to be poor, but I ain't too poor to be proud," he was recorded as saying. Its treatment is also indicative of early jug band recordings of the 1920s which I enjoy. "C" is a transcription of the "Bayou Teche Waltz' as played by Columbus Fruge, a Cajun accordion player and singer recorded in the 1920s. As stated previously, each transcription is dealt with in a set of two variations. Variation 1 is a polytonal variation to be played exactly as written. Variation 2 is an optional improvised section which can either be played exactly as notated or partially as notated and/or completely improvised thereupon.
Authored (or revised): 1991
Published: 1991
Duration (minutes): 9
Book format: Score + parts
SKU
ACA-DAVM-048Couldn't load pickup availability
Description
Shipping and Returns
PDF Download Policy
This single movement work is structured as follows: [A -- variation1(a) -- var2(a) -- B -- var1(b) -- var2(b) -- var2(c)-- var1(c) -- C]. Capital letters refer to themes, "var" refers to the different variations upon those themes. Although there is only one continuous movement, it is divided into three sections with the aforementioned contrasting variations. "A" is a transcription of a prison work song "I had five long years' recorded at the notorious Angola State Penitentiary in Louisiana in 1959 by Harry Oster (released on Folk-Lyric Recording Co., Louisiana Folklore Society). The original singer was James Russell and some other inmates.
To appreciate the anguish and bitterness behind these prison songs, one must become familiar with the outrageous conditions to which inmates were subjected during its worst years. "B" is a transcription of the railroad song, "John Henry' as sung by Rich Amerson, a transient from Alabama as recorded by Harold Courlander in 1956 for Folkways Records. "I ain't proud to be poor, but I ain't too poor to be proud," he was recorded as saying. Its treatment is also indicative of early jug band recordings of the 1920s which I enjoy. "C" is a transcription of the "Bayou Teche Waltz' as played by Columbus Fruge, a Cajun accordion player and singer recorded in the 1920s. As stated previously, each transcription is dealt with in a set of two variations. Variation 1 is a polytonal variation to be played exactly as written. Variation 2 is an optional improvised section which can either be played exactly as notated or partially as notated and/or completely improvised thereupon.
Shipping
We ship world-wide using US International Postal Mail - Priority, First Class International Mail, or UPS Global. In the US, we usually use US Priority Mail or Media Mail or UPS Ground services.
Return Policy
Orders received damaged will be replaced immediately at no additional charge. Refunds requested will be issued back to the original payment
method.
PDF files are not refundable and are considered permanent loan rentals licensed to the customer who purchased.
Purchasing any digital PDFs from American Composers Alliance grants you an unlimited license for your personal use only. ACA grants permission for you to duplicate the score and files as needed for performance.
Any other use of the PDF files may require additional permission from ACA. Purchase and download of PDFs does not automatically include performing and recording rights.
PDF files are not refundable and are considered permanent loan rentals licensed to the customer who purchased.