Frederick Delius

Appalachia

Variations on an old slave song

Variationen über ein altes Sklavenlied

DCW 69
RT II/2
DCE 9a

Composer: Frederick Delius
Dedicatee: Julius Buths

Appalachia, the second of two works given this title by Delius, shares some thematic material with the purely instrumental earlier work of the same name. The 'old slave song' that forms the basis of the work is introduced with text as a final chorus, with a baritone soloist who sings with the chorus. In common with other large-scale Delius works with extra-musical associations, the composer gave an initial explanatory note which was omitted from later printed editions of the score: 'Appalachia is the old Indian name for North America. The composition mirrors the moods of tropical nature in the great swamps bordering on the Mississippi River, which is so intimately associated with the life of the old negro slave population. Longing melancholy, an intense love of Nature, childlike humour and an innate delight in singing and dancing are still the most characteristic qualities of this race'.

Composition: 1902.