Judith Ring: Of Woods and Water

2022 Commissioned Work, World Premiere

Sponsored by Berryville Graphics

August 18, 2022 at Barns Of Rose Hill, ACMF Opening Night Performance

 

Notes from the composer

This string quartet pays homage to two folks tunes, one of Irish origin and one of American origin. As with a lot of folk tunes it is difficult to determine precisely who wrote them or where they came from.

 

The Irish tune is called Cooney’s Reel or Cooley’s Reel depending on who you talk to! To me it embodies the spirit of an Irish trad session with its fierce energy and raw power. Old Joe Clark (the American tune) provides a lively, bright contrasting mood with an air of hope and positivity. The two together gave me ample material to create a piece that will hopefully bring the listener on a journey through two lands steeped in folk history and provide a sense of how these two worlds are ultimately connected through music.