II - Villanella (Miniature Suite)

Webster's dictionary defines a "villanella" is an instrumental piece in the form of a rustic dance.

This is a good way of describing this little gem of a piece!

It features a dialogue between the 8' flutes of the Great against the 8' Clarinet of the Choir - actually the Solo in this case.

I stuck much exactly to Ireland's tempo, but in listening, perhaps it's a bit slow. On the other hand, it's nice not to rush everything.

This piece is tricky since it requires a lot of "thumbing down," and in one spot, makes you thumb down AND up at the same time.

My fingers can ALMOST do it, but there's one little "blip" in there... :-(

The piece ends with a delightful little scampering run on the Choir 8' flute, before ending with the final chord on the Swell strings.

This is a neat little piece, and not as easy as it might sound... ;-)