Variations on a Japanese Folksong

1 Full Score - 1 Piccolo - 6 Flute I + II - 2 Oboe I + II - 1 English Horn - 2 Bassoon I + II - 1 Clarinet Eb - 4 Clarinet I - 4 Clarinet II - 4 Clarinet III - 1 Alto Clarinet Eb - 1 Bass Clarinet - 4 Alto Saxophone I + II - 2 Tenor Saxophone - 1 Baritone Saxophone - 2 Cornet I - 2 Cornet II - 2 Cornet III - 2 Trumpet I - 2 Trumpet II - 2 Trumpet III - 2 Horn I + II Eb - 2 Horn I + II F - 2 Horn III + IV Eb - 2 Horn III + IV F - 2 Tenorhorn I - 2 Trombone I C - 1 Trombone I Bb (TC) - 1 Trombone I Bb (BC) - 4 Trombone II + III C - 2 Trombone II/III bv - 2 Trombone II/III bb - 2 Baritone C - 2 Baritone Bb (BC) - 2 Bas Bb (TC) - 2 Bas Bb (BC) - 2 Bas Eb (TC) - 2 Bas Eb (BC) - 4 Tuba I + II C - 1 Stringbass - 2 Percussion I - 2 Percussion II

The pentatonic, so characteristic of Japanese folk music, plays an important role in this work. After a short introduction, we hear the theme, which subsequently undergoes a number of metamorphoses. Sometime, the original theme gives way to other folk song elements. Towards the end, a new theme appears – a little Japanes dance tune – played by flutes and clarinets. Yet another theme arises from this. In the finale, the three themes come together, and finally the main theme predominates.