Robert Kelly

5 - 15 Violoncelli

There are several versions of the American folk tune Shenandoah some in meters of 3/4, 4/4, and 9/8. I selected 9/8 because of its flowing quality for celli. The tune used is a compilation of several versions. Shenandoah is the tale of the daughter of an Indian chief living beside the Missouri River. There are several other versions of the text. The tune Shenandoah was selected for these variations because the Shenandoah National Park is located just east of James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA. Robert Ashby asked me to write a composition for his Cello Orchestra while visiting the campus in October, 1980. In traveling on Skyline Drive in Shenandoah National Park I suddenly remembered the tune of the folksong Shenandoah, and decided to write a set of variations for Ashby's Cello Orchestra.