O'Carolan's Dream

Solo Violin Feature

This lovely arrangement for solo violin and full orchestra weaves together several themes by Irish harpist and composer Turlough O'Carolan. Bring in guest soloists or showcase your own students in this delightful tribute to one of Ireland's most coveted treasures.

Program Notes

Turlough O'Carolan (1670-1738) was a blind Celtic harpist who is Ireland's most famous composer. Blinded by smallpox at the age of eighteen, he was apprenticed to a harper; then at the age of twenty-one, he was given a horse and some money to start his career as an itinerant musician, often naming his tunes for the patrons he stayed with. He had a great sense of humor and temper, and was known to have enjoyed drinking and fighting. Over 200 of his single-line melodies survive, three of which are featured in this arrangement: Sheebeg and Sheemor, Lord Inchiquin and George Brabazon. Gackstatter has also arranged O'Carolan's beautiful ballad Bridget Cruise for band.

Grade Level: 3
Copyright: 2013
Number of Players: 8-8-5-5-5 + 1
Duration: 4:30
Publisher: C. Alan Publications
Type: With Soloist
Category: String Orchestra

Instrumentation

Solo Violin

Flute 1
Flute 2
Oboe 1
Oboe 2
B-flat Clarinet 1
B-flat Clarinet 2
Bass Clarinet
Bassoon

F Horn 1
F Horn 2
F Horn 3
B-flat Trumpet 1
B-flat Trumpet 2
B-flat Trumpet 3
Trombone 1
Trombone 2
Bass Trombone
Tuba

Timpani
Percussion 1 (snare drum, bass drum)
Percussion 2 (suspended cymbal, crash cymbals, triangle)
Percussion 3 (xylophone, bells) Violin I Violin II Viola Cello Bass