Appalachian Counterpoint

Appalachian Counterpoint is a work for tuba-euphonium quartet based on the traditional Appalachian folk song “All the Pretty Little Horses,” a lovely lilting lullaby. There is, however, very little feeling of “lullaby” in this work as it is transformed into an Appalachian fiddling tune.

Program Notes

Appalachian Counterpoint was commissioned by the University of Kentucky Tuba-Euphonium Quartet, comprised of Edward Carter, Daniel Cox, Connor Moore, and Chase Teachy. The work is based on the traditional Appalachian folk song “All the Pretty Little Horses,” a lovely lilting lullaby. There is, however, very little feeling of “lullaby” in this work as it is transformed into an Appalachian fiddling tune. As the title of the work implies, the folk song is subjected to various contrapuntal treatment as well as different harmonic, rhythmic, and metric guises. A slow and sonorous interlude separates the two fast sections of the pieces and a rousing coda bring the work to an exciting conclusion.

Grade Level: Medium Difficult
Copyright: 2020
Duration: 5:30

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Instrumentation

Euphonium 1
Euphonium 2
Tuba 1
Tuba 2