Fantasy on 'The Wee Cooper of Fife'

Description

Violin 1, Violin 2, Violin 3, Viola, Cello, Contrabass — Myxa0Fantasy on "The Wee Cooper of Fife"xa0was one of four such fantasies I wrote for my daughter April when she was studying the violin, and I had hopes that when she reached the age of wisdom and proficiency she would play them with her friends. Life being what is it, she eventually gave up the violin and chose a completely different career for herself-though we are still the best of friends!I found the song in a collection of folk songs for children where it is calledxa0Rissoldy Rossoldy.xa0Except for a few notes, the song was almost identical to the English folksongxa0The Wee Cooper of Fife, which begins:"There was a Wee Cooper named Fife / nickity nackety roo noo roo / He took him to wed a gentle wife / nickity nackety roo noo roo / She would na card she would na spin / for fear 't would harm her gentle skin...."The tune is rollicking and words are amusing, and yes, eventually they worked out their problems!The Fantasy is roughly in the style of the classical rondo, which is ABACA coda, such as one finds in the last movements of some of Haydn's later symphonies.This composition may be performed by a string orchestra or solo string quartet.- Douglas Townsend