Variations on the Willow Tree

Description

Variations on The Willow Tree by Garth Baxter
For Solo Alto Flute
Duration: 2:00

This is a set of four variations on the beautiful but little known English folk song. The work begins and ends with a statement of the actual folk song melody. “The Willow Tree” is a tragic song of lost love. The last verse reads:

I once had gold and silver, I thought them without end.
I once had gold and silver, I thought I had a true friend.
My wealth is lost, my friend is false, my love hath he stolen from me,
While here I lie alone to die beneath the willow tree.

(note: YouTube performance is done on C flute)