Arirang Variations

Arirang Variations by Stanley M. Hoffman
Duet for two flutes of the same kind
Includes two scores

“This work, first scored for piano solo, was composed for the 2008 Sejong Music Composition Competition. Although it did not win a prize, having entered the competition left me with a neat little piano piece to show for it, as well as the present transcription which I created for flutist Peter Sheridan in 2015. The set of variations opens with the traditional Korean theme accompanied by arpeggios. This is followed by Variation 1, a sad waltz in the style of a Chopin waltz. Next comes Variation 2, a funeral march in the manner of Chopin’s Funeral March from the Piano Sonata in B-flat Minor, Op. 35. Variation 3 is a Tango written in tribute to one of my favorite composers, Astor Piazzolla. Variation 4 combined the Korean tune with motifs from the slow movement of Beethoven’s Symphony No. 6, The Pastoral. The set of variations closes with a repeat of the opening passage.” -Stanley M. Hoffman