Molly on the Shore, Irish Reel from British Folk Music Settings, No. 1 Cover Image

Molly on the Shore, Irish Reel from British Folk Music Settings, No. 1: String Orchestra Conductor Score & Parts

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Molly on the Shore, Irish Reel from British Folk Music Settings, No. 1 Cover Image
Molly on the Shore, Irish Reel from British Folk Music Settings, No. 1: String Orchestra Conductor Score & Parts

Molly on the Shore, Irish Reel from British Folk Music Settings, No. 1: String Orchestra Conductor Score & Parts

By Percy Aldridge Grainger

Item: 36-A609690
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Description
Percy Grainger's (1882-1961) love for music of the simple rural folk of the British Isles led to a series of forty-three pieces that he grouped into a series called "British Folk-Music Settings", including this title as No. 23. Grainger produced at least six versions of this folk tune arrangement of two contrasting Irish Reels ("Temple Hill" and "Molly on the Shore"), of which this version for string orchestra or string quartet, written in 1907, was the first. A string count of 8-8-5-5-5 is included in the set.

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Additional Details
Series: Kalmus Symphonic Pops
Publisher: Keiser Productions, Inc.
UPC: 746241211866
SKU: 36-A609690
Instrumentation: String Orchestra (8-8-5-5-5 in set)

More about this title

About the Composer: Percy Aldridge Grainger

Percy Grainger (1882-1961) was an Australian-born pianist and conductor who became obsessed with preserving the folk music traditions of the British Isles. He traveled extensively across England, Scotland, and Ireland with early recording equipment, capturing songs directly from rural singers before they vanished. This passion drove him to compose the British Folk-Music Settings series, forty-three pieces that transformed simple melodies into sophisticated orchestral works while honoring their origins.

Grainger's arrangements reveal a composer uninterested in nostalgic sentimentality. Instead, he brought folk tunes alive through rhythmic vitality, unexpected harmonic colors, and inventive orchestration that respects the source material without prettifying it. His influence on twentieth-century music education stems from this approach: showing students how serious compositional craft and deep cultural respect can coexist.

Why we love this

Grainger's orchestration for strings crackles with life; the interplay between the two Irish reels creates natural dramatic momentum that carries the piece forward without needing heavy instrumentation. The 8-8-5-5-5 string configuration remains accessible for most school programs while producing genuine orchestral texture, making it an ideal choice when you want substance without logistical complexity.

What to expect

Infectious and spirited, with the particular charm of Irish reels translated into concert language. The music bounces with folk energy while maintaining refined orchestral color; it feels both intimate and expansive at once.

Who it's for

String orchestras seeking a piece that sits at the intersection of folk authenticity and compositional sophistication. Advanced high school ensembles and college programs will find the rhythmic and textural demands both engaging and manageable.

How to get the most out of it

  • Emphasize the rhythmic snap in the reel figures. Grainger's syncopations and displaced accents define the character, so precision in articulation matters more than legato beauty.
  • Balance the viola and cello parts carefully; they often carry counter-melodies that deserve presence without overpowering the violins.
  • Treat the contrasting sections between the two reels as distinct personalities. "Temple Hill" and "Molly on the Shore" should feel like separate characters in conversation, not a seamless blend.

How to use it

Program this as a concert opener or as part of a folk-music themed concert that bridges traditional music and classical arrangement. It pairs well with other British or Celtic-inspired works and serves as an excellent educational centerpiece when teaching students about source materials and compositional transformation.

Skills your students will build

  • Maintaining rhythmic precision in syncopated, reel-based figures
  • Executing clear articulation for ornamentation and quick passage work
  • Balancing contrasting melodic lines across the string sections
  • Understanding how folk sources are transformed through orchestration and harmonic development

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