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Pastorale on What Child Is This?
Instrumentation
Instrumentation
Flute
Oboe
English Horn
Clarinet in B
2 Bassoons
4 Horns in F
Timpani
Suspended Cymbal
Mark Tree
Vibraphone
Celesta
Harp
Violin I
Violin II
Viola
Cello
Contrabass
♭
Program Notes
Program Notes
The English folk song melody “Greensleeves” first appeared during the 16th century and has grown in popularity ever since. It is now known predominantly through its pairing with William Chatterton Dix’s text, “What Child Is This.” In this arrangement for chamber orchestra, a slight variation in the tune’s original rhythm is featured as the melody is contrapuntally imitated. The result is a pastoral setting evoking tranquil images of the first Christmas night.
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