"Variations on John Brown's Body" for Horn and String Orchestra

The main tune is widely recognised as "Battle Hymn of the Republic" with the lyrics of Julia Ward Howe. It is traditionally played at an allegretto in a flat key. The theme isn't stated in this traditional fashion until the very end. I tried to make this piece sound as little like a theme and set of variations as possible, and that can be seen by observing the vast amounts of original material I've thrown in to complement and transition between 'variations'.

Just to clear this up, I can personally play the entire horn part quite decently, and I am only an amateur. The part is not meant to be easy. Also, although it may say "Solo" in the horn part, this is not a horn concerto. I treat the horn as part of the ensemble and give the strings much of the important material as well.

A brief synopsis...
• Intro and first variation: Theme put in minor, very grave. Theme starts in the horn.
• Second variation (at B): Theme still in minor, only much more agitated, with an attitude.
• Third variation (at C): Waltz time, theme in major, put in basses, and then horn.
o From letter E to letter F is a transition comprised of original material, and bits of the theme.
• Fourth variation (at F): Opens with a mysterious 5/8 pattern. First thing in the violins is original material to help get the ear to tune into the odd meter. At measure 184, first violins have the theme in inversion, very obscure. Measure 213 is a reprise in a 4/4 march style with the theme in retrograde.
• Original theme and ending: (at I) Traditional tempo, key, and voicing; no changes.

MIDI:
Variations-John-Browns-Body.mid
I would make an MP3, but the SoftSynth strings patches in Finale leave much to be desired, and they are all I have.

PDF:
Variations_John Brown's Body - eSnips, share anything

(thanks to Marius for producing my .pdf, as my two PDF creators have somehow broken, oddly enough. They just don't work anymore. I can also thank Marius for the occasional advice here and there (which goes along the lines of me asking him, "Is this okay? How do I indicate this? Is this too abrupt?" ) )

I've become rather proud of this piece, but I know there are some flaws. If anybody has anything to point out, I will accept comments in all areas, including score layout.

Very nice work!! this piece was well crafted and you did an excellent job making it as a whole, not just a bunch of sections. i thought it was an "ok" piece until the F section. i was blown away at your use of instruments AND especially the content. the 5/8 section was awesome! i also like the G section as well, nice blend of sections there and throught. my slight complaints (and i do mean slight) were the transition to the E section and the last bar. i think the chords were weak leading to the E section, ill have to look at the score again but it just didnt seem to fit ( at least for me). ill get back to you on that. also, even though i throughly enjoyed the ending recap, the last bar i didnt even hear the horn which judging by the score would have sounded really cool, i just couldnt hear it. all in all though, kudos on such a fine work, i really enjoyed its classical style and your voice shined magnificantly. hope to hear more from you soon, although youre going down in the monthly comp.

vince

You'll get my review when the competition is over and I get all of the judges submissions in... but i just wanted to let you know I enjoyed the piece thoroughly!

This was refreshing, really. I don't have much to say except for that it is definitely very well written.

To be honest, the 5/8 section was my least favourite. It's odd to hear me, of all people, say this, because I generally love 5/8 and such. To me, it sounded a bit rambly, and a bit repetitive.

However, everything else was sane. It was excellent. Great job.

Hehe, thank you Mitchell. Sane... ...

Morivou - I can't wait to hear what you and the other judges say.

That guy back there - Thank you very much, I appreciate that you took the time to listen and comment. I'll have a look at the transition into the E section, I'm not sure what that was at the moment, but I'm sure there is room for improvement.

When I get all the reviews from the Monthly Competition (for which this was written), I'll surely make a few changes and update the files here. (another reason I didn't bother with an Mp3)

James

Your choice....

You tell me what you want...

My honest opinion or fluff?

I changed my mind, I will not let you make the choice just because I think you would want my honest opinion.

I went thru this 3 times and I don't see it.

The variations are great, the orchestration works, but who in their right mind would want to listen to 9 1/2 minutes of John Brown's Ford had a puncture in his tire, just to learn he patched it up with chewing gum?

I really like your original material and see the quality of work here, but I go back to who would want to hear it this done over and over.

Is this being too harsh? Will you now hate me forever? Or can you accept one idiots honest opinion?

I still hope you win the competition.

Ron

Originally Posted by rolifer

James

Your choice....

You tell me what you want...

My honest opinion or fluff?

I changed my mind, I will not let you make the choice just because I think you would want my honest opinion.

I went thru this 3 times and I don't see it.

The variations are great, the orchestration works, but who in their right mind would want to listen to 9 1/2 minutes of John Brown's Ford had a puncture in his tire, just to learn he patched it up with chewing gum?

I really like your original material and see the quality of work here, but I go back to who would want to hear it this done over and over.

Is this being too harsh? Will you now hate me forever? Or can you accept one idiots honest opinion?

I still hope you win the competition.

Ron

I don't understand, did you like it or not?

I listened to this from start to finish 3 times. If I hated it, I would never have done that.

As I said, I see the skill that went into the variations, and think that they are well done.

James could do the same thing with Mary Had a Little Lamb and show great skill in doing the variaitons. But, who would want to listen to Mary for more than a couple of minutes?

A large part of what I am saying is probably based on just listening to the midi. At this point, that is what I am limited too, until I get my other computer to make noise again.

I can't say I like it, I guess, but I do see what he has done and respect that.

Ron