Kumbayah Variations

Kees Vlak has written five expressive variations on the well-known song "Kumbayah".

After the two themes have been introduced, they sound in variation 1 first as a spirited "Tarantella". From Italy they then travel to Hungary with the second, the "Gypsy Variation", which is in minor. The solo clarinettist presents the melody in the proper style and then leads the orchestra to a fiery Csárdás.

From Hungary it is not far to Vienna and to the Viennese Waltz of Variation 3. Via humorous byways the composer finally reaches the waltz "An der schönen blauen Donau" by Johann Strauss II. The orchestra can show all its charm and humour.

Finally, the fourth variation is a homage to Glenn Miller, the outstanding representative of the swing style of the 40s and 50s. With saxophones and sharp sounds in the trumpets, a real swing feeling arises.

Variation 5 finally picks up on the current music and Kees Vlak makes it really crack with "Kumbayah" in funky rock.