Irish Tune from County Derry: British Folk Music Settings, No. 15 Cover Image

Irish Tune from County Derry: British Folk Music Settings, No. 15: Conductor Score

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Irish Tune from County Derry: British Folk Music Settings, No. 15 Cover Image
Irish Tune from County Derry: British Folk Music Settings, No. 15: Conductor Score

Irish Tune from County Derry: British Folk Music Settings, No. 15: Conductor Score

By Percy Aldridge Grainger

Item: 36-A675301
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Description
At the age of 19, Percy Aldridge Grainger (1882-1961) embarked on a career as a concert pianist, composer and folksong collector-arranger. It was in the last category that drew him to the tune he called IRISH TUNE FROM COUNTY DERRY, which he first arranged for wordless mixed chorus in 1902. The work proved very popular, and Grainger made several settings over the years that followed, with a version adapted for piano in 1911, and an orchestration for strings and two optional horns in 1913. This orchestral arrangement is now a popular standard in the repertoire.

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Additional Details
Series: Kalmus Symphonic Pops
Publisher: Keiser Productions, Inc.
ISBN10: 1-63-887375-5
ISBN13: 978-1-63-887375-4
UPC: 660355180156
SKU: 36-A675301
Instrumentation: 2 hn, str

More about this title

About the Composer: Percy Aldridge Grainger

Percy Aldridge Grainger (1882-1961) was an Australian-born pianist, composer, and ethnomusicologist whose curiosity about folk music shaped his entire creative output. He traveled extensively collecting traditional songs, particularly from the British Isles and Scandinavia, then reimagined them through fresh harmonic and orchestral lenses. His arrangements preserve the melodic integrity of folk tunes while infusing them with modern compositional techniques, making him a bridge between folk tradition and concert music.

Grainger's arrangement practices influenced generations of composers and remain central to string orchestra repertoire. He believed folk music belonged in concert halls and that arrangers had a responsibility to honor source material while exploring its expressive possibilities. His prolific output across multiple settings of the same tune (as with Irish Tune from County Derry) reflects his conviction that a strong melody could sustain many different musical treatments.

Why we love this

Grainger's orchestration balances accessibility with genuine sophistication; the optional horns let you program this with strings alone or add warmth and color when your horn players are ready. The melody sits comfortably across string voices, the harmonic language is direct without being simplistic, and the piece unfolds with an unhurried lyricism that feels refreshing on a concert of pops or lighter repertoire.

What to expect

The tune carries the unhurried warmth of Irish folk melody, unfolding naturally as if it has always existed in this form. Grainger's orchestration deepens the emotional landscape with transparent harmonies and gentle passing tones that honor the tune's folk roots while placing it in a concert setting. The overall effect is reflective and generous, never sentimental.

Who it's for

This conductor score serves directors leading string orchestras with available horn players. It works for advanced middle school programs, high school and college orchestras, and community ensembles seeking repertoire that is musically rewarding without excessive technical demands.

How to get the most out of it

  • Keep the tempo steady and lyrical rather than pushing for speed. The beauty emerges from the long lines and the way the melody passes between sections.
  • Balance the horn parts carefully; they should enhance rather than overwhelm the string sound. If horns are optional in your program, consider the acoustic of your hall before deciding to include them.
  • Shape the melody as a single musical thought even as it moves through different instruments. Avoid letting sectional entrances create seams in the line.
  • Let the middle section breathe. Grainger wrote this tune to sing, and that quality should remain audible in every phrase.

How to use it

Program this in the second half of a concert, where its lyrical quality can provide a moment of repose and reflection. It pairs well with other light orchestral fare or Grainger's other folk-inspired arrangements, and it offers the right musical character to close a program gently or to transition from heavier repertoire to a finale.

Skills your students will build

  • Sustained ensemble balance across multiple string sections with added winds
  • Phrasing long melodic lines that pass between instrumental groups
  • Stylistic sensitivity to folk-derived melody and accompaniment patterns
  • Intonation control in slow, harmonically transparent music

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