Greensleeves GeWV 261

Commissioned by the Schott publishing house, the present variations on the song 'Greensleeves' were written in 2000 by Genzmer who seized on the suggestion to write a cycle of variations on this Old English melody which had often served as a theme for variations in music history, as for example in the famous anonymous cycle 'Greensleeves to a ground' (around 1700). Genzmer keeps the theme simple, yet with great virtuosity and original harmony. All parts are written in a linear fashion. The four variations observe, almost in a classical manner, the principle of increasing differentiation and acceleration of the rhythm. Variation 1 uses crotchets and quavers as well as semiquaver triplets, whereas Variation 2 uses semiquavers throughout and Variation 3 the somewhat faster semiquaver triplets. Variation 4 stays on this fast rhythmic level with semiquavers and semiquaver triplets. A rewarding piece for the 'Jugend musiziert' competition as well as for advanced lessons.