Voyageur Suite
Greg Bartholomew
About this work:
The voyageurs were French-Canadian men who paddled the canoes of explorers and fur traders from Quebec and Montreal to the regions bordering the Great Lakes and on to the Mackenzie and Columbia Rivers during the 17th, 18th and early 19th centuries. While they paddled hour after hour in their cramped canoes, the voyageurs sang of their canoes, their country, their life and their loves. This suite is based on melodies of their songs.
At least two of my ancestors, both named Antoine Pepin, were voyageurs. This suite is dedicated to my nephew, Alexander Pepin Gilbert, on the occasion of his Bar Mitzvah.
Voyageur Suite was premiered February 15, 2007, by the Alaska Brass of the U.S. Air Force Band of the Pacific. It received its Australian premiere on March 7, 2007, by the Black Mountain Brass, and its California premiere performances on April 21 & 22, 2007, by the Menlo Brass.
Year composed: 2006
Duration: 00:09:30
Ensemble type: Chamber or Jazz Ensemble, Without Voice:Brass Quintet
Instrumentation:
Instrumentation notes: Brass Quintet: 2 Trumpets, Horn, Trombone & Tuba