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

Molly on the Shore, Irish Reel from British Folk Music Settings, No. 1a (arr.): Full Orchestra, Ensemble Works, Condensed Score (EDWIN F KALMUS)

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Molly on the Shore, Irish Reel from British Folk Music Settings, No. 1a (arr.) Cover Image
Molly on the Shore, Irish Reel from British Folk Music Settings, No. 1a (arr.): Full Orchestra, Ensemble Works, Condensed Score (EDWIN F KALMUS)

Molly on the Shore, Irish Reel from British Folk Music Settings, No. 1a (arr.): Full Orchestra, Ensemble Works, Condensed Score (EDWIN F KALMUS)

By Percy Aldridge Grainger

Item: 36-A725101
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Molly on the Shore, Irish Reel from British Folk Music Settings, No. 1a (arr.): Full Orchestra, Ensemble Works, Score and Parts (EDWIN F KALMUS)

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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"), including this version for full orchestra which he completed in 1914. Instrumentation: 2(2nd dPicc).2.2.2: 4.2.3.1: Timp.Perc(2-3): Clst: Str (9-8-7-6-5 in set): Pno Cond. in set. Includes transposed Clarinet and Trumpets parts. Reprint edition.

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Additional Details
Series: Kalmus Symphonic Pops
Publisher: Keiser Productions, Inc.
ISBN10: 8-89-563980-4
ISBN13: 979-889-563-9801
UPC: 605258877215
SKU: 36-A725101
Instrumentation: 2(2nd dPicc).2.2.2: 4.2.3.1: Timp.Perc(2-3): Clst: Str (9-8-7-6-5 in set): Pno Cond. in set

More about this title

About the Composer: Percy Aldridge Grainger

Percy Grainger (1882-1961) was an Australian-born composer and pianist who spent much of his career in England and the United States. His deep fascination with folk music, particularly from the British Isles, led him to collect and study traditional melodies with the rigor of a musicologist and the imagination of a modernist composer. He arranged dozens of folk tunes across multiple instrumental and vocal settings, viewing each version as a fresh exploration of the same musical material rather than a definitive statement.

Grainger's approach to folk arrangement was radical for his time. He avoided heavy romanticization, instead finding ways to let the melody sing through clear orchestration while layering unexpected harmonic colors and rhythmic vitality beneath it. His willingness to create multiple versions of a single tune reflects his belief that folk music belonged to all musicians and could be reimagined endlessly.

Why we love this

Grainger's gift was making folk material sound both immediately charming and orchestrally substantial. This orchestration sits perfectly between accessibility and sophistication: the melodic core is unmistakable, the orchestral writing is colorful without being dense, and the pacing keeps ensembles and audiences engaged from first note to last. Directors who program this discover that audiences connect instantly with the tunefulness while musicians appreciate the craftsmanship in how Grainger distributes the material across the orchestra.

What to expect

Molly on the Shore bounces with the infectious energy of a village dance hall, full of bright woodwind colors and purposeful string motion. The two reels unfold with genuine delight in simple melody, yet Grainger's harmonies and orchestral layering add sophistication and warmth that elevates the folk source into something both timeless and unmistakably early-twentieth-century.

Who it's for

This condensed score works for conductors preparing a full orchestra performance who want all instrumental lines visible on the podium. It suits orchestras of intermediate to advanced ability that are comfortable with the technical demands of Grainger's idiom and can balance clarity with color in the orchestration.

How to get the most out of it

  • Clarify the two distinct reels early in rehearsals by learning them separately. The contrast between 'Temple Hill' and 'Molly on the Shore' drives the piece; if they blur together, the structure weakens.
  • Balance the woodwind doublings carefully, especially in the early expositions. Grainger layers seconds and thirds frequently; ensure these inner voices remain audible without overwhelming the melody.
  • Maintain rhythmic buoyancy in the string accompaniment throughout. Irish reels thrive on forward motion; heavy or sluggish bow work will drain the character.

How to use it

Program this as a concert opener or second piece to establish a lighter, audience-friendly tone after a more serious opening work. It pairs naturally with other Grainger orchestral folk arrangements or with other British orchestral pops selections, offering directors a chance to explore how a single composer refreshed traditional material across multiple scores.

Skills your students will build

  • Balancing melody with accompaniment across distributed instrumental choirs
  • Performing dotted rhythmic figures with rhythmic precision and stylistic lift
  • Reading transposed clarinet and trumpet parts
  • Shaping phrasing in orchestral doubles and inner voices
  • Coordinating articulation and articulation style across multiple instrumental families

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