Drapkin Music Publications By The Fireside - Drapkin - Concert Band

Composer: Michael Drapkin
Format: Score and Parts
Instrumentation: Concert Band

By the Fireside is a great addition to a December holiday concert or any program wanting to add a Jewish flavour to it. It is relatively short -- a little over two minutes long, but a lovely arrangement that starts out with solo flute. Drapkin based this short band work on a classic Yiddish song, which creates a distinct soundscape. Drapkin points out, "As is not unusual in songs from this area and culture, it has elements of sadness in it." The opening statement is performed in the upper winds only, with the other instruments introduced in the second theme.