D J Loxley-Blount | Londonderry Air

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Londonderry Air: Theme and Variations

Other titles:

In Sunshine or in Shadow: Theme and Variations on Londonderry Air
(Wind Orchestra version)

Duration:

8'

Programme note:

The iconic and emotive melody known as Londonderry Air has different connotations for different people, an aspect which lends itself well to a theme and variations form. This is partially due to the use of many diffferent texts in different settings and surroundings in conjunction with the melody. The melody of Londonderry Air can be traced back to at least 1855. It first became known as Londonderry Air after the Irish poet Katharine Tynan Hinkson composed the words of Irish Love Song to the melody in 1894. Only in 1913 did it become associated with the more commonly known words Danny Boy. Besides use as a folk song and a hymn other uses have included at the funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales, and to represent Northern Ireland at the Commonwealth Games.

The opening harmonisation of the theme and the six variations explore a range of colours and emotions. These explorations mainly involve differing uses of texture, register, rhythmic variation and melodic embellishments. The most melodically abstract variation, the third, presents the theme in inversion.

DJLB (May 2019)

Instrumentation/versions:

Solo Organ (2019)
Title: Londonderry Air: Theme and Variations

Wind Orchestra / Concert Band (2022) adapted from organ version
Title: In Sunshine or in Shadow: Theme and Variations on Londonderry Air

Brass Band (2021-23)
Title: TBC

Premieres:

Londonderry Air: Theme and Variations
St Mary the Virgin, Henley-on-Thames, 25th July 2021
Sebastian Thomson, organ

In Sunshine or in Shadow: Theme and Variations on Londonderry Air
St Mary Brookfield, Dartmouth Park, London, 26th November 2022
Symphonic Wind Orchestra of North London
Dwight Pile-Gray, conductor

Awards / Prizes:

Organ version awarded 3rd Prize in the Angels of Creation Commissions
Composition Competition 2019

Page last updated: Saturday 15 October, 2022

*Londonderry Air: Theme and Variations*
Other titles:	In Sunshine or in Shadow: Theme and Variations on Londonderry Air (Wind Orchestra version)

Duration:	8'

Programme note:	The iconic and emotive melody known as Londonderry Air has different connotations for different people, an aspect which lends itself well to a theme and variations form. This is partially due to the use of many diffferent texts in different settings and surroundings in conjunction with the melody. The melody of Londonderry Air can be traced back to at least 1855. It first became known as Londonderry Air after the Irish poet Katharine Tynan Hinkson composed the words of Irish Love Song to the melody in 1894. Only in 1913 did it become associated with the more commonly known words Danny Boy. Besides use as a folk song and a hymn other uses have included at the funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales, and to represent Northern Ireland at the Commonwealth Games. The opening harmonisation of the theme and the six variations explore a range of colours and emotions. These explorations mainly involve differing uses of texture, register, rhythmic variation and melodic embellishments. The most melodically abstract variation, the third, presents the theme in inversion. DJLB (May 2019)

Instrumentation/versions:	Solo Organ (2019) Title: *Londonderry Air: Theme and Variations* Wind Orchestra / Concert Band (2022) adapted from organ version Title: In Sunshine or in Shadow: Theme and Variations on Londonderry Air Brass Band (2021-23) Title: *TBC*

Premieres:	*Londonderry Air: Theme and Variations* St Mary the Virgin, Henley-on-Thames, 25th July 2021 Sebastian Thomson, organ In Sunshine or in Shadow: Theme and Variations on Londonderry Air St Mary Brookfield, Dartmouth Park, London, 26th November 2022 Symphonic Wind Orchestra of North London Dwight Pile-Gray, conductor

Awards / Prizes:	Organ version awarded 3rd Prize in the Angels of Creation Commissions Composition Competition 2019

Page last updated: Saturday 15 October, 2022