Description

Percy Grainger began work on Shepherd's Hey in 1908 for piano solo, published for the first time in 1911. Based on an English Morris Dance, the melody was collected by Cecil J. Sharp from the playing of the fiddler of the Bidford Morris Dancers in 1906, J. Mason. In January of 1949, conductor Leopold Stokowski wrote to Grainger suggesting the composer re-orchestrate some of his most popular pieces, including this one, for a recording to be produced featuring an orchestra comprised of the finest musicians New York City had to offer. Stokowski suggested certain scoring procedures that would feature a new color per entrance, thus showcasing the virtuosity of the star players. Five titles were recorded on May 5, 1950, of which Shepherd's Hey was one. This edition by Dana Perna contains the entire piece as composed by Grainger, also describing the cuts Stokowski implemented in the program notes for conductors who wish to emulate the recorded. Detailed instrumentation: 2+1.2+1.2+Bcl.2+1: 4.3.3.1: Timp.Perc(4).Hp.Pno: Str