Variations on "America" (5Hr)

Variations on "America" (5Hr) Charles Ives Variations on "America" has been artfully arranged by Charlie Vernon for Horn Quintet of virtuoso performers. This work of about 8 minutes in length was composed and published in 1891 for Concert Organ at the time it was the de facto national anthem of the U.S.A. The work is based upon and inspired by America (My Country, Tis of Thee) an American patriotic song that uses the same melody as the national anthem of the United Kingdom "God Save the Queen". Variations on "America" has 5 variations including a number of humorous sections with some definite tongue-in-cheek happening. Ives, who performed it first on a concert grand Organ for a Fourth of July celebration in 1892 was quoted as saying that it was, "almost as fun as playing baseball." Instrumentation is for 5 Horns in F. Treble and bass clefs are used.