Greg Bartholomew

Symphonic Ode No. 1: On the Ground Where We Live

Instrumentation1111 3321 Timpani + 2 Percussion & Strings
LengthApprox. 10 minutes
DifficultyModerate (university level?)
CommentsAwarded the Masterworks Prize by ERM Media, this new work for full orchestra has been recorded by the Czech Philharmonic for release on the Masterworks of the New Era CD series Volume Ten in late 2006.

Composed in 2005, the piece evokes the sense of walking through the community of an old town or city, where new sights and experiences are discovered around each corner. We sense a generally benign social-political environment in which individuals and small groups may interact harmoniously, although at times the world becomes ominous or chaotic. Individual voices are at turns confident, reflective, insistent or celebratory. As the ensemble builds, we may be entering a popular plaza. When the crowd gets too boisterous, we follow a pair of individual voices as they retreat for refuge in a quiet passage, but soon the larger forces return and build to a climatic conclusion.

The Tubular Bell part is central to the climax of the piece.
SourcesScores and parts are available from Burke & Bagley http://burkeandbagley.home.comcast.net.

Perusal scores (full or partial) are available in pdf format upon request from the composer: email greg@gregbartholomew.com
ExtrasPhoto of composer: http://www.gregbartholomew.com/images/bartholomewglasses.jpg
HistoryPremiere performance scheduled for Feb. 10, 2007, at the Society of Composers Region Six Conference at the University of Central Missouri.
Contributorthe composer
Other

The Far North Land: Passages for String Orchestra

InstrumentationStrings only
LengthApprox. 3 minutes
DifficultyEasy (university level?)
CommentsThe Far North Land

It's the Far North Land that's a-calling me away, as take I with my pack sack to the road. It�s the call on me of the forest in the North, as step I with the sunlight for my load.

By Lake Duncan and Clear Water to the Bear Skin I will go, where you see the loon and hear its plaintive wail. If you're thinking in your inner heart I swagger in my step, you've never been along the Border Trail.

My father enjoyed singing, particularly when the family went on road trips. One of our favorite songs that he sang was The Far North Land. Several years ago, my sister recorded our father singing this song for use on the soundtrack of one of her movies. I recently transcribed the song from that recording and used it as the foundation for this piece. My aunts tell me they recall my father singing this song when he was a boy growing up in Minnesota, and that they referred to it as Fletch's Song. It was only while working on this piece that I discovered that Duncan, Clear Water and Bear Skin are actual lakes in the border lakes region where Minnesota meets Canada.
SourcesScores and parts are available from Burke & Bagley http://burkeandbagley.home.comcast.net.

Perusal scores (full or partial) are available in pdf format upon request from the composer: email greg@gregbartholomew.com
ExtrasPhoto of composer: http://www.gregbartholomew.com/images/bartholomewglasses.jpg
HistoryThe original version for string quartet was premiered in October 2003 by the OdeonQuartet. You
may listen to their performance at http://www.gregbartholomew.com.
Contributorthe composer
Other

Suite for String Orchestra

InstrumentationStrings only
LengthApprox. 10 minutes
DifficultyModerate
CommentsThis suite for string orchestra is an adaptation of a string trio commissioned by the Oregon Bach Festival Composers Symposium in honor of George Crumb on the occasion of his 75th birthday. The first movement is constructed almost entirely from the initial and final letters of Crumb's name: the pitches G, E, C and B ("GEorGE CrumB"). The second and third movements each extend 75 measures, marking Crumb's 75 years. The second movement is based on the Sarabanda theme from Crumb's extended work for electric string quartet, Black Angels, which is quoted at section B of the second movement. The pitches G, E, C and B recur as a motif in the third movement, but this time it is G# and C#, as the piece concludes with a bit of fun.
SourcesScores and parts are available from Burke & Bagley http://burkeandbagley.home.comcast.net.

Perusal scores (full or partial) are available in pdf format upon request from the composer: email greg@gregbartholomew.com
ExtrasPhoto of composer: http://www.gregbartholomew.com/images/bartholomewglasses.jpg
HistoryThe original version for string trio was premiered in July 2004 by the Third Angle New Music Ensemble at the Oregon Bach Festival Composers Symposium. You may listen to their performance at http://www.gregbartholomew.com.
Contributorthe composer
Other

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