Swing Low, Sweet Chariot - "Mark O'Connor Duo" with Maggie O'Connor (official video)

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From the cd "Duo"
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"Swing Low, Sweet Chariot" Public Domain, arr. by Mark O'Connor
Mark O'Connor - Violin
Maggie O'Connor - Violin
Video Directed by Forrest O'Connor
Assisted by Jim Shirey
"Swing Low, Sweet Chariot"
African American spirituals, which were written primarily by plantation slave workers during the 18th and 19th centuries, are some of the most compelling and historically significant pieces of American music. After hearing the Fisk Jubilee Singers perform one night, composer Antonin Dvorak felt that spirituals seemed the perfect source material for American classical music. Swing Low, Sweet Chariot, was indeed one of his favorites. For the violin duet arrangement of the spiritual, I draw inspiration from many sources. The melodic rhythm is inspired by Johnny Cash’s vocal interpretation of the spiritual. The tempo (fast), key (B major), and “chop” technique are characteristic of bluegrass; indeed, there is an entire verse in which both violins chop the melody from double-stop chords. In another verse, the players actually sing the lyrics in unison (or octaves) while bowing double-stop chords, an approach influenced partly by old-time fiddling and singing. The coda features a fairly typical “Alleluia” ritard. -Mark O'Connor
Music from the cd "Duo" and sheet music available in - O'Connor Method Book V and "Seven Violin Duos") "A New American School of String Playing"
Album notes writer Professor Péter Kováts, a Bartok-Pasztory Award winner violinist from Hungary, compared Mark O’Connor’s duo compositions/arrangements to those of classical composer great Bela Bartok; “The roots of Mark O’Connor's compositions are in the traditional American fiddling styles, and I am sure his unique and excellent settings will serve the same goal that Bela Bartók’s Duos serve. Being a concert violinist and university violin pedagogue, I welcome the birth of these fantastic O’Connor Duos and wish great success for them!”
The O'Connor Method for violin, viola, cello and orchestra. Music from United States, Mexico, Latin American and Canada. American Classical Music, Hoedowns, Blues, Spirituals, Ragtime, Jazz, Bach, Baroque, Hymns, Bluegrass, Folk Songs, Rock, Ranchero, Jigs, Choros, modern compositions and much more. Technique, Solo, Ensemble, String Orchestra, Classics, Creativity, Improvisation, Cultural Diversity, Music of different eras, Individual expression. 500 hundred years of music for the violin and strings that creates relevance to the 21st century.
MOC Enterprises
Michael Hogue - [e-mail]
Fiona Zwieb - [e-mail]
Maggie O’Connor - [e-mail]
Mark O’Connor - [e-mail]
P.O. Box 39470 Charlotte, NC 28278
The O'Connor Method - Students of all ages, Teachers, Studios, Community Schools, Public Schools, Private Schools and Summer Camps - www.oconnormeth...
O'Connor Method Book V and additional materials are available exclusively through SharMusic.com
Playlist created by The O'Connor Method on UA-cam. Watch here:
• Mark O'Connor: Revolut...
For more information:
Mark O'Connor: www.markoconnor...
Maggie O'Connor: www.maggieoconn...
For More UA-cams of O'Connor music:
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www.markoconnor...
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Mark and Maggie use D'Addario Strings
Filmed in St. Mary's Episcopal Church, Harlem, New York