Variations on a Korean Folk Song – Sheet Music

Looking for the sheet music for “Variations on a Korean Folk Song”? You’ve come to the right place! In this blog post, we’ll provide you with a downloadable PDF of the sheet music, as well as a performance video to help you learn the piece.

Introduction

“Variations on a Korean Folk Song” is a piece of music for solo piano composed by American composer Amy Beach in 1896. The piece is based on the Korean folk song “Arirang”, which Beach heard while she was living in China.

The piece is in three movements, each of which quotes the melody of “Arirang” in a different way. The first movement, marked “Allegro con spirito”, is a fast, lively variations on the folk song. The second movement, marked “Andante con moto e molto cantabile”, is a slower, more lyrical variation. The third and final movement, marked “Allegro moderato”, returns to the fast, energetic style of the first movement.

“Variations on a Korean Folk Song” is one of Beach’s most popular pieces, and has been recorded by many famous pianists including Van Cliburn, John Ogdon, and Mitsuko Uchida.

History of the Song

“Arirang” is a Korean folk song, often considered as the unofficial national anthem of Korea. The song is thought to date back to the Joseon Dynasty (1392–1910), and it is estimated that there are over 1,600 different versions of the song. “Arirang” typically tells a story of sorrow, loss, or nostalgia, and it is often sung while hiking up mountains. The melody of “Arirang” has been adapted by many classical composers, including Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, who used it in his Manfred Symphony (1885).

Lyrics

Na na ne Hae na ne Hae

Chorus:
Bum bo ri rum bum, Bo ri rum bum,
Bum bo ri rum bum, Na ne Hae,
Bum bo ri rum bum, Bo ri rum bum,
Bum bo ri rum bum, Na ne Hae.
(x2)

Verse 1:
A young girl was weeding the fields, Weeding the fields day and night, So her clothes got all muddy and dirty, Muddy and dirty day and night. (x2)
Chorus Verse 2:
A young boy was playing the flute, Playing the flute day and night. So his lips got all chapped and dry, Chapped and dry day and night. (x2)
Chorus Verse 3:
An old man was fishing in the river, Fishing in the river day and night. So his hands got all wrinkled and old, Wrinkled and old day and night. (x2)

Sheet Music

“Variations on a Korean Folk Song” is a traditional Korean folk song that has been adapted and arranged by many different composers over the years. The sheet music for this song is widely available, and there are many different versions of the song that have been published.

Arrangements

There are many ways to play “Arirang,” and almost every musician who performs it will have their own arrangement. Some may add or omit verses, change the order of the verses, or add ornamentation or embellishments to the melody. The sheet music included in this collection is just one version of the song – feel free to experiment and find your own way to play it!

The earliest known version of “Arirang” was transcribed by Yu Won-jin in 1468. This version is unique in that it includes a section for solo voice – all other known versions of the song are written for chorus. It is also worth noting that the melody of “Arirang” has changed very little over the centuries, despite the many different versions that have been created.

Recordings

A list of commercial recordings of “Arirang” is given below. It includes a number of non-Korean artists, such as David Bowie, who recorded “Arirang” on his 1977 album Low. The Soviet composer Dmitri Shostakovich quoted “Arirang” in his String Quartet No. 8 in C minor, composed in 1960.

Type of Roasts – (Coffee Roast Guide)
Heading: Light roasts
Expansion:
Most roasters have specialized names for their favored roasts and there is very little industry standardization. This can cause some confusion when you’re buying, but in general, roasts fall into one of four color categories — light, medium, medium-dark and dark.

Many consumers assume that the strong, rich flavor of darker roasts indicates a higher level of caffeine, but the truth is that light roasts actually have a slightly higher concentration. The perfect roast is a personal choice that is sometimes influenced by national preference or geographic location. Within the four color categories, you are likely to find common roasts as listed below. It’s a good idea to ask before you buy. There can be a world of difference between roasts.

Light roasts
Light brown in color, this roast is generally preferred for milder coffee varieties. There will be no oil on the surface of these beans because they are not roasted long enough for the oils to break through to the surface.
-Light City
-Half City
-Cinnamon