SWEET AND SOUR NURSERY RHYMES


Listen: I. THERE WAS A LITTLE GIRL

Listen: II. LITTLE BOY BLUE

Listen: III. TRY, TRY AGAIN

Performed By: The Singing Sergeants, Daniel L. Price, conductor

Movements:
I. There Was a Little Girl II. Little Boy Blue III. Try, Try Again

Instrumentation:
SATB chorus, French horn

Text: Nursery rhymes (I and III), Eugene Field (II)

Duration: 7 minutes

Commissioned By:
Commissioned by The Singing Sergeants, Lt. Daniel Price, Director

Premiere:
Premiered by the Air Force Singing Sergeants, Lt. Daniel Price conductor, as a recording in June, 1997.

Available From:
Oxford University Press Vocal score Cat. No. 9780193862760 Horn part Cat. No. 9780193862777 Distributed by Goodmusic Publishing

Composer's Notes:

"There Was a Little Girl"

One of the most recognized horn melodies of all time, "Tile Eulenspiegel's Merry Pranks" frames this tale of Victorian disobedience.  In this setting, my "horrid little girl" cavorts through the piece spouting blatant parallel fifths and brassy nonsense syllables. Even after her mother scolds her for hooraying her heels, this little girl continues her own merry pranks, unimpressed by adult rules.

"Little Boy Blue"

To enhance Eugene Field's achingly nostalgic poem of childhood past, I created a simple drum tattoo and  combined it with a horn call reminicent of the first three notes of  "Taps."  Both are a metaphor for the inevitable march of time and the steadfast nature of loyal friends.

"Try, Try Again"

Anyone who has ever practiced a musical instrument, a sporting endeavor, or anything tedious has emblzoned in their childhood memory the admonition to "try, try again."  As in any practice session, there are a few glorious successes amidst many failed attempts!

-Libby Larsen

To order the vocal score or the french horn part, please visit Goodmusic Publishing.

Score Errata:
m. 25, tenor: first pitch should be A

mm. 66-67, alto: the G# in 66 should be tied over to a G# in 67