Simple Gifts Anthon Interpretation
The great American composer Aaron Copland (1900 - 1990) popularized this Shaker hymn melody when he included it in his Appalachian Spring ballet, premiered in 1944. The English songwriter Sydney Carter set the lyrics of his song “Lord Of The Dance” to the Simple Gifts tune in 1963. Michael Flatley’s dance musical entitled “Lord Of The Dance” opened in 1996 and featured the Simple Gifts tune played in a lively Irish fiddling style.
This arrangement of Simple Gifts for string orchestra was inspired by these many diverse setting of the original tune. This arrangement blends traditional fiddling techniques with contemporary harmonies and features several different tempos and “feels” throughout. A traditional Irish fiddle tune, “The Mason’s Apron”
This arrangement of Simple Gifts for string orchestra was inspired by these many diverse setting of the original tune. This arrangement blends traditional fiddling techniques with contemporary harmonies and features several different tempos and “feels” throughout. A traditional Irish fiddle tune, “The Mason’s Apron”