Three Ravens, The

Completed in 1902, Grainger's harmonization of this folk tune captures beautifully the transcendental nature of the text, with masterful use of chromaticism and the Grainger “gliding tones.”

Genre: Band | # of Players: Standard
Level: 4 | Duration: 5:00

Instrumentation
Piccolo (1)
Flute 1 & 2 (4)
Oboe 1 & 2 (2)
Englih Horn (1)
Bassoon 1 & 2 (2)
Contrabassoon (1)
B-flat Clarinet 1 (3)
B-flat Clarinet 2 & 3 (3)
B-flat Clarinet (2)
E-flat Contra-alto Clarinet (1)
B-flat Soprano Saxophone (1)
E-flat Alto Saxophone 1 & 2 (2)
B-flat Tenor Saxophone (1)
E-flat Baritone Saxophone (1)
B-flat Bass Saxophone (1)

B-flat Trumpet 1 (2)
B-flat Trumpet 2 & 3 (4)
French Horn 1 & 2 (2)
French Horn 3 & 4 (2)
Trombone 1 & 2 (2)
Trombone 3 (1)
Euphonium (2)
T.C. Euphonium (2)
Tuba (3)
Double Bass Fiddle (1)

Timpani (4 drums)
Crotales
Chimes
Vibraphone
Vibraphone, Crash Cymbals, Suspended Cymbal
Marimba 1 (4.3-octave) top
Marimba 2 (5-octave) top
Marimba bottom/Suspended Cymbal
Marimba bottom

Program Notes
The Three Ravens is Nr. 41 of the British Folk-Music Settings. It is “lovingly and reverently dedicated to the memory of Edvard Grieg”, as are all the BFMS works. The piece is originally scored for Baritone Solo and Mixed Chorus accompanied by 5 Bb Clarinets. The folksong The Three Ravens was not collected by Grainger; like Irish Tune from County Derry he found the tune in an existing collection. The harmonization, finished in 1902, captures beautifully the transcendental nature of the text, with masterful use of chromaticism and the Grainger “gliding tones.”

The Three Ravens is a Grade 4, well-suited for the mature high school or collegiate band. Duration 5′.

Note: This piece can be performed as a standalone work or as a set- Three Tragic Ballads -with Danny Deever and Father and Daughter.