The Spirit of the Land, Op. 18

About

This work was composed as a millennial tribute to the great country of Canada. The piece is constructed around various traditional folk melodies. The main theme is based on Land of the Silver Birch and, symbolically, other themes come from I's the b'y that built the boat, Freres Jaques and of course, a reference to the national anthems of France and England (distorted to reflect those cultures being modified to Canada's use). Within the tone-poem is an evocation of sunset on the prairies, a hoedown and a magnificent climax representing the Rocky Mountains and reflecting the optimism that should continue to be Canada's birthright.