
Concert Band | Mixed Ensemble (Woodwinds/Brass)
Chrissy Variations
Info
Chrissy is Kees Vlak’s granddaughter. He composed his piece “Chrissy Variations” for her, drafting a musical picture of the relationship between he and his grandchild.
After a four measure prelude the Chrissy theme is introduced in 2/4 time. Chrissy prefers 2/4 over 3/4 or 4/4 because it is so lively.
Variation 1 "On all fours"
Grandpa disagrees and therefore writes the first variation in 4/4 time. The melody is the same, but he adds ornamentations to fill four beats per measure.
Variation 2 "Chrissy is sad"
To Chrissy this is not funny at all and she gets sad; so this variation is in a minor key. “Why am I supposed to play so slowly?” she asks, “I’m not a little girl anymore!” (Minore means small and minor.)
Variation 3 "Chrissy is angry"
Chrissy is really upset because of the slow meter and out of spite she plays many inappropriate notes, or "dissonances".
Variation 4 "Laying the puzzle"
Grandpa wants to make up with Chrissy so they do a puzzle together. To start, Chrissy is still sad (minor), but the more complete the puzzle gets the merrier Chrissy becomes. In the end she is very happy because she and Grandpa accomplished the puzzle (major).
Variation 5 "Chrissy is happy"
Chrissy is now very happy and cheerful and dances with Grandpa. Chrissy does very fast dance moves (melody), but Grandpa can only do a heavy “om-pah-pah” (bass).
Finale "Chrissy’s Party"
The rest of the family arrives and they celebrate together. Chrissy and her sister dance a typical Russian dance (gopak) where they have to crouch down. Mum, Dad, Grandma and the dog dance along, and Grandpa...well, Grandpa has an idea: he wants to compose a piece about this story.
Flexible trio with percussions/keyboard (opt.) | Grade 1,5
Instrumentation:
Conductor (Full Score)
Part 1 C (8va) (Flute, Oboe)
Part 1 C (Trumpet)
Part 1 Bb (Trumpet, Cornet, Flugelhorn, Clarinet)
Part 1 Bb (8va) (Clarinet Solo, Soprano Saxophone) (optional)
Part 1 Eb (Alto Saxophone)
Part 2 C (8va) (Oboe, Flute)
Part 2 Bb (Clarinet) (optional)
Part 2 Bb (8va) (Tenor Saxophone, Tenorhorn, Euphonium)
Part 2 C (Trombone, Euphonium, Bassoon)
Part 2 Eb (Alto Saxophone, Horn)
Part 2 F (Horn)
Part 3 C (Trombone, Bassoon, Euphonium, Tuba 1)
Part 3 Bb (Trombone, Baritone, Bass Clarinet)
Part 3 F (Horn)
Part 3 C (8vb) (Tuba 2)
Part 3 Eb (Baritone Saxophone, Tuba)
Mallets (Xylophone, Glockenspiel, Vibraphone)
Timpani
Percussion (Snare Drum, Bass Drum, Cymbals, Vibraphone, Hi-Hat, Triangle)
Keyboard (Piano, Organ)

See also
VARIO 3-4-5 (free/gratis)
MVSR072-2
Young Concert Collection, Happy People, Prater Waltz, Little Drummerman, Fun Train, Nordic Suite, Chrissy Variations, Clockwork, The Old Fortress, Paperhat Collection, Cat Walk, Sugar Stomp, Song for the Memory, Five Continents, Tijuana ...
Cat Walk / Sugar Stomp
MVSR4016
This double edition contains the two Vario 3 compositions "Cat Walk" and "Sugar Stomp" by Luigi di Ghisallo
Cat Walk
“Cat Walk” might describe a cat walking. But it ...
Clockwork
MVSR4013
Many composers were inspired by the clock to write wonderful pieces, e.g. Joseph Haydn whose Symphony No. 101 is also called “The Clock”. Adding the melody of the most famous clock in the world, “Big Ben” in London, you have a ...
Fun Train / Little Drummerman
MVSR4007
This double edition contains the two Vario 3 compositions "Fun Train" and "Little Drummerman" by Luigi di Ghisallo.
Fun Train
Tsch, Tsch, Tschk, Tschk-Tschk, ...
Happy People / Prater Waltz
MVSR4009
This double edition contains the two Vario 3 compositions "Happy People" and "Prater Waltz" by Alfred Bösendorfer.
Happy People
Band music originates in military music. ...
Nordic Suite
MVSR4011
A musical suite consists of several pieces that all relate to a certain topic, in case of the “Nordic Suite” that is Scandinavia and its countries.
1. Swedish March
Sweden is depicted by a march. When you stay for a ...
Paperhat Collection
MVSR4015
This collection consists of five variations on the Dutch song “One, two, three four hats from paper” (“hoedje von papier”). It’s a song that tells people not to take everything so seriously.
1. Paperhat ...
The Old Fortress
MVSR4014
Traveling to Southern France, on the highway to Lyon – l’aoutoroute du soleil – you pass a fortress that dates from the 11th century. It lies high and invulnerable on a rock and is called “La Fortresse Mornas”. ...
Young Concert Collection
MVSR4006
“Young Concert Collection”, which would be also suitably titled as “Our first concert”, consists of five small pieces.
1. Fanfare
The opening part contains only four different notes. The different ...