Ashokan Farewell - Jay Ungar

[RickF]

During this past month of 'social distancing' my wife and I have been watching too much TV. A few days ago we started watching the "Yellowstone" series on Peacock streaming service provided by our cable co. It's a modern-day western with Kevin Costner as the lead. In the first episode there was a funeral for one of his sons and the song played was, "Ashokan Farewell" by Jay Ungar. I remember hearing this nice piece back in the 90s on the PBS mini-series, "The Civil War". I thought that might be something different to play on my euph. Not too difficult but since it's normally played by violin or fiddle, there are no obvious places to breathe. I found the music on Musescore. To figure out where to breathe I found the lyrics and added breath marks in appropriate places.

If interested, here are some links:

Ashokan Farewell (Jay Ungar) “The Civil War” soundtrack
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uZmxZThb084

Ashokan Farewell – The Band of H.M. Royal Marines (different key)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ife1qWbliMU

Greg Scott perfoms Ashokan Farewell at Machester Candlelit Vigil
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nFXbK9aZzXk

Sheet music source - Musescore:
https://musescore.com/song/ashokan_farewell-1623978
...fixed link above

Lyrics:
http://jayandmolly.com/ashokan-farewell/lyrics/

[John Morgan]

That is a nice piece, Rick, funny you mentioned it, I have played that in a couple bands I play in several times in the past few years. I mostly hear the solo played by alto sax in band. But it would indeed be nice on euphonium, what isn't!!

[davewerden]

Thanks for the reminder! A student of mine gave me the music several years ago. No idea where it is right now, but I'm in the midst of going through ALL my music and getting it all sorted out. It's bound to turn up!

[DaveBj]

I played that on accordion a few years back in a homecoming service at the church where my parents are buried.

[John Morgan]

I played that on accordion a few years back in a homecoming service at the church where my parents are buried.

I bet that was really nice.

[RickF]

I finally got around to playing Ashokan Farewell. I didn't like the original key of 'D' so took it down a semitone to ‘Db’. It's more manageable in this key for me. Did a quick recording on my old Zoom H2 - not the best.

Redid the recording. This one from a larger room with higher ceiling and very little carpet. Also at a slower tempo (~100 bpm) and not after a two-hour practice session.

Ashokan Farewell - euphonium

[aroberts781]

Thanks for sharing this Rick, nice playing! After giving it a listen you inspired me to pick up my horn and play the first couple of phrases by ear. Now I feel even more inspired to work up my own version.

This is a beautiful tune. My spouse and I also loved rewatching that documentary a few years ago, and many years ago when I started learning the mandolin I played Ashokan Farewell a lot.

[RickF]

Thanks 'aroberts'. I bet that piece sounds good on a mandolin.

I just uploaded a newer recording. This one played in a larger room with higher ceiling and very little carpet at a bit slower tempo. Also not after a two-hour practice session.

[RickF]

Just found a YouTube performance with Steven Mead as part of a low-brass quintet... three euphs and two baritones. It was part of a concert with the Puget Brass in Washington State. This arrangement is a half step higher or Eb.

Ashokan Farewell low-brass quintet:
...

[aroberts781]

The quality of your playing is evident in both recordings, but I definitely enjoyed this updated recording!

That baritone/euphonium quintet arrangement was lovely as well.

Have you ever performed with a guitar player? I think the guitar accompaniment adds so much to the original fiddle version and I've been thinking that this would probably sound great on euphonium with guitar accompaniment.

[RickF]

Thanks. No I’ve not ever played with guitar. Molly Mason (Jay Ungar’s wife) plays beautifully on this piece and is a great accompaniment. Here’s one they played just last year. Molly is playing on a Martin instead of a Gibson.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NyHouE0IUlg