The Delian Society, founded in 2004, is distinguished not only for its leading role in the renaissance of tonal art music but also for its international artistic collaborations. In 2012, six of its composers combined their talents to create the Delian Suite No. 7—”Robin Hood”—expressly for a world premiere by The Iris Clarinet Quartet.
The Robin Hood whose name is associated with ancient songs and ballads can be traced at least as far back as the twelfth century. According to some sources, he was born at Locksley in Nottinghamshire, England around the year 1160, and was actually Robert Fitz-Ooth, earl of Huntingdon. In modern times, he has been the subject of both television series and major motion pictures, and is usually depicted as an outlaw hero who, with the help of his “merry men,” brings justice to those who have been abused by authority. Among his many deeds, he is perhaps best known for robbing the rich to give to the poor.
This suite does not tell a single story but presents instead a colourful series of vignettes inspired by the legend of Robin Hood.
In addition to the Delian Suite No. 7 (“Robin Hood”), several of our composers contributed individual movements commemorating heroic figures of their choice.
Special thanks go to the Iris Clarinet Quartet— Rie Okamura (First Clarinet), Yukari Iwai (Second Clarinet), Misaki Oda (Third Clarinet), and Kaori Fujii (Bass Clarinet), for their outstanding artistry and support of contemporary tonal art music, and to all those who gave so generously of their expertise, musical creativity, and skill to make this project a reality. We hope our gift to you, the listening public, will further the spirit of international friendship and cooperation.
Compositions in the concert video:
Joseph Dillon Ford (Florida, USA): 1. Prelude (pdf and mp3)
Warren Park (Minnesota, USA): “Robin’s Merry Band” (pdf)
Jean Chatillon (Québec, Canada): “Friar Tuck” (pdf) (Video)
Ronald Brown (Ontario, Canada): “The Black Knight” (pdf)
Sheila Firestone (Florida, USA): “Maid Marian” (pdf) Video
David Solomons (Sale, United Kingdom): “The Bishop Is Forced to Dance (pdf and mp3) Video
Joseph Dillon Ford (Florida, USA): “Robin Hood and His Merry Men” (Scherzo) pdf and mp3
Other clarinet quartet compositions in the suite
Robin Escovado (California, USA): “Sherwood Forest” (mp3)
Joseph Dillon Ford (Florida, USA): “Eidolons” in honour of Johannes Brahms (pdf and mp3)
Edward Gold (New York, USA): “Merlyn” Symphony (first movement) (mp3)
Graham Marshall (Rochdale, United Kingdom): “Martyrdom of Perpetua and Her Companions” (pdf) (mp3)
David Solomons (Sale, United Kingdom): “Japanese Song” for unsung heroes (pdf and mp3)
