Variations on The Holly and the Ivy (2007)

The variations are a series of short character pieces based upon the traditional carol melody of the title. There are seven variations and a Finale. The style is firmly anchored in C major with the central section (Variations 4-7) drifting into more distant tonalities. With the exception of the sixth variation the thematic outline and structure of the theme is preserved in all the variations. The brevity of the theme is challenging since the music of the verse is repeated for the chorus. This AA structure is retained throughout, although in the variations the chorus is usually subject to further variation, or made markedly different from the verse as in variation 7. A simple statement of the theme in C major is followed by a brief toccata, the theme embodied within complex chords against a new maestoso theme on pedals. The second variation is a playful scherzando. The third is a slow variation in the tonic minor. Variation 4 is a wistful and gentle waltz. Variation 5 is another waltz but more vigorous and builds up to a concluding long, loud and very dissonant chord which leads without a break into a quiet fugue (Variation 6) which focuses upon the rising sixth motive of the theme. Variation 7 has a distinctly contrasting chorus; the relaxed warmth of the verse setting darkens in the ensuing chorus and ends inconclusively. The Finale is a quick March in the manner of a Lefebure-Wely Sortie.

Duration: 10mins
Available from: the composer
Price: £5.00

Listen to the composer performing Variations on The Holly and the Ivy on 27th October 2007 at St Dominic's Priory