Suzuki Violin Pieces in their Original Forms

(original source material for the Suzuki Violin School)

Volume 1

  1. Twinkle, Twinkle Little StarShinichi Suzuki
  2. Lightly RowFolk Song
  3. Song of the WindFolk Song
  4. Go Tell Aunt RhodyFolk Song
  5. O Come, Little ChildrenFolk Song
  6. May SongFolk Song
  7. Long, Long AgoT. H. Bayly
  8. AllegroShinichi Suzuki
  9. Perpetual MotionShinichi Suzuki
  10. AllegrettoShinichi Suzuki
  11. AndantinoShinichi Suzuki
  12. EtudeShinichi Suzuki
  13. Minuet No. 1J. S. Bach
  14. Minuet No. 2J. S. Bach
  15. Minuet No. 3J. S. Bach
  16. The Happy FarmerR. Schumann
  17. GavotteF. J. Gossec

  1. Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star Variations

    listed composer
    Shinichi Suzuki
    composer
    French folk song
    sources
    Les Amusements d’une Heure et Demy (1761), by François Bouin:
    Ah ! vous dirai-je, maman (melody only)
    Recueil de chansons choisies et de vaudevilles les plus nouveaux (1765), by Mr Duchesne:
    Le faux pas (melody and text)
    Rhymes for the Nursery (1806), by Jane and Ann Taylor:
    The Star (“Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star”)
    dates
    1740?: melody origin
    1761: melody first published
    1765: melody and original French lyrics first published together
    1806: Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star text published
    more information
    Wikipedia
    scores
    Les Amusements (Gallica) | Recueil de chansons (WorldCat) | Rhymes for the Nursery (WorldCat) | Rhymes for the Nursery (Internet Archive)
    suggested recording
    [album cover]
    Claire Lefilliâtre, voice
    Arthur Schoonderwoerd, tangent piano
    lyrics
    Original FrenchEnglish translation
    Ah ! vous dirai-je, maman,
    Ce qui cause mon tourment?
    Depuis que j’ai vu Silvandre
    Me regarder d’un air tendre,
    Mon coeur dit à tout moment:
    Peut-on vivre sans amant?
    Ah, shall I tell you, Mother,
    What causes my torment?
    Ever since I saw Silvandre
    Look at me with a tender air,
    My heart says at every moment:
    Can you live without a lover?
    L’autre jour, dans un bosquet
    Il me cueillait un bouquet;
    Il en orna ma houlette,
    Me disant: Belle brunette,
    Flore est moins belle que toi,
    L’amour moins épris que moi.
    The other day, in a grove
    he picked some flowers for me;
    he adorned my shepherd’s crook with them
    telling me: Pretty brunette,
    Nature’s flowers are less beautiful than you,
    and Love is less enraptured than I.
    Je rougis et par malheur
    Un soupir trahit mon coeur;
    Le cruel, avec adresse,
    Profita de ma faiblesse:
    Hélas! maman, un faux pas
    Me fit tomber dans ses bras.
    I blushed and by misfortune
    a sigh betrayed my heart;
    the cruel man, with skill,
    profited from my feebleness:
    Alas, Mother, a misstep
    made me fall in his arms.
    Je n’avais pour tout soutien
    Que ma houlette et mon chien;
    Amour, voulant ma défaite,
    Ecarte chien et houlette:
    Ah! qu’on goûte de douceur
    Quand l’amour prend soin d’un coeur!
    I had no support other than
    my crook and my dog;
    Love, desiring my defeat,
    removed the dog and the crook:
    Ah, how we taste such sweetness
    when love takes charge of a heart!

    (edited version of this post)

    English version
    Twinkle, twinkle, little star,
    How I wonder what you are!
    Up above the world so high,
    Like a diamond in the sky.
    When the blazing sun is gone,
    When he nothing shines upon,
    Then you show your little light,
    Twinkle, twinkle, through the night.
    Then the traveller in the dark
    Thanks you for your tiny spark;
    He could not see where to go,
    If you did not twinkle so.
    In the dark blue sky you keep,
    And often through my curtains peep,
    For you never shut your eye
    Till the sun is in the sky.
    As your bright and tiny spark
    Lights the traveller in the dark,
    Though I know not what you are,
    Twinkle, twinkle, little star.

    Jane and Ann Taylor (published 1806)

    Volume 1:  1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17
    Return to the main menu.

  2. Lightly Row

    listed composer
    Folk Song
    composer
    German folk song,
    original lyrics by Franz Wiedemann
    source
    Hänschen klein
    date
    lyrics 1821–1848(?), melody likely much earlier
    more information
    Wikipedia | Liederprojekt
    suggested recording
    [album cover]
    Unknown artist
    links: youtube
    listen: mp3
    lyrics
    Original GermanEnglish translation
    Hänschen klein ging [geht] allein
    In die weite Welt hinein.
    Stock und Hut steht ihm gut,
    Ist gar wohlgemut.
    Aber Mutter weinet sehr,
    hat ja nun kein Hänschen mehr.
    Da besinnt sich das Kind,
    läuft [rennt] nach Haus geschwind.

    Franz Wiedemann (1821–1882)
    Little Hans went alone
    Out into the wide world.
    Stick and hat suit him well.
    He is in good spirits.
    But his mother cries so much,
    For she no longer has little Hans.
    Look! the child changes his mind
    and runs quickly home.

    Japanese versionRomanizationEnglish translation
    ちょうちょう ちょうちょう
    菜の葉にとまれ
    菜の葉にあいたら
    桜にとまれ
    桜の花の
    花から花へ
    とまれよ遊べ
    遊べよとまれ
    Chō chō chō chō
    na no ha ni tomare
    na no ha ni aitara
    sakura ni tomare
    sakura no hana no
    hana kara hana e
    tomare yo asobe
    asobe yo tomare
    Butterfly, butterfly,
    Come to rest on mustard plants.
    If you’re tired of mustard plants,
    Come to rest on cherry blossoms.
    Fly from one cherry blossom
    To another.
    Rest and play,
    Play and rest.

    English version
    Lightly row! lightly row!
    O’er the glassy waves we go;
    Smoothly glide! smoothly glide!
    On the silent tide,
    Let the winds and waters be
    mingled with our melody,
    Sing and float! sing and float!
    In our little boat.

    Volume 1:  1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17
    Return to the main menu.

  3. Song of the Wind

    listed composer
    Folk Song
    composer
    melody: Folk tune
    words: Ernst Anschütz (1780–1861)
    source
    Musikalisches Schulgesangbuch:
    94. Warnung (“Fuchs, du hast die Gans gestohlen”)
    English title
    Musical school-songbook:
    94. Warning (“Fox, you’ve stolen the goose”)
    date
    1824
    more information
    German Wikipedia | Liederprojekt
    scores
    First edition:
    WorldCat (p.38)
    reproduction of the original score: pdf
    Modern (familiar) version:
    pdf (published by Liederprojekt)
    suggested recording
    [album cover]
    Michael Volle, voice
    Ann-Sophie Volle, piano
    links: Liederprojekt
    listen: mp3
    notes

    Apparently, this popular German song is known to most German speakers with a version of the melody that is slightly different from the original (as published in 1824).

    At the first statement of “mit dem Schießgewehr” (mm.9–10 in the Suzuki book), the original melody is 3-2-2-3 | 1, and the familiar German version is 3-2-3-2 | 1-3-5.

    Similarly, in the last two measures, the original melody is 3-2-2-3 | 1, and the familiar German version is 3-2-3-2 | 1.

    It’s not clear (to me) how the melody evolved into its current familiar version, but these particular modifications appear in almost every modern printed source and recording of this song. The melody in the Suzuki books matches neither of these exactly, but is closer to the modern German version:

    In the Suzuki book, mm.9–10 are
    3-2-2-2 | 1-3-5,
    and the last two measures are
    3-2-2-2 | 1.

    The accompaniment in the suggested recording is not in the original score.

    lyrics
    Original GermanEnglish translation
    Fuchs, du hast die Gans gestohlen,
    gib sie wieder her,
    gib sie wieder her!
    Sonst wird dich1 der Jäger holen,
    mit dem Schießgewehr!
    Sonst wird dich der Jäger holen,
    mit dem Schießgewehr!
    Fox, you’ve stolen the goose
    Give it back!
    Give it back!
    Or the hunter will fetch you 
    With his rifle,
    Or the hunter will fetch you
    With his rifle.
    Seine große, lange Flinte
    schießt auf dich den Schrot,
    schießt auf dich den Schrot,
    dass dich färbt die rote Tinte
    und dann bist du2 tot,
    dass dich färbt die rote Tinte
    und dann bist du tot.
    His big, long gun,
    Shoots a little shot at you,
    Shoots a little shot at you,
    So you’re colored with red ink
    And then you’re dead. 
    So you’re colored with red ink
    And then you’re dead.
    Liebes Füchslein, lass dir raten,
    sei doch nur kein Dieb,
    sei doch nur kein Dieb!
    Nimm, du brauchst nicht Gänsebraten,
    mit der Maus vorlieb,
    nimm, du brauchst nicht Gänsebraten,
    mit der Maus vorlieb!
    Dear little fox, take my advice:
    Just don’t be a thief,
    Just don’t be a thief,
    You don’t need roast goose,
    Be content with the mouse.
    You don’t need roast goose,
    Be content with the mouse.
    Ernst Anschütz (1780–1861)

    1orig: sie
    2orig: und du bist dann
    (edited from this page)

    Volume 1:  1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17
    Return to the main menu.

  4. Go Tell Aunt Rhody

    listed composer
    Folk Song
    composer
    Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712–1778)
    sources
    Le Devin du village, opera by Jean-Jacques Rousseau
    Scene 8. Pantomime.
    Rousseau’s Dream, popular tune in the early 1800s
    (adapted from the Rousseau melody)
    dates
    1752: Le Devin du village
    1789: Sweet Melissa, Lovely Maiden, song by J. Dale
    1812: Variations on “Rousseau’s Dream”, by J. B. Cramer
    scores
    Le Devin du village:
    manuscript (score: p.71)
    first edition (pdf: p.69, score: p.64)
    Sweet Melissa, lovely Maiden!:
    Variations on “Rousseau’s Dream”:
    1818 edition (p.2)
    suggested recordings
    Le Devin du village:
    [album cover]
    cantus firmus consort
    Andreas Reize
    Variations on “Rousseau’s Dream”:
    no recordings available
    notes
    The melody known as “Rousseau’s Dream” was derived from the opening of the ‘Pantomime’ section of Jean-Jacques Rousseau’s 1752 opera Le Devin du village (The Village Soothsayer).

    Sometime in the late 1780s, composers of parlor music began using the Rousseau melody for their own songs, usually by shortening the original and then adding their own words. The first known example is the song Sweet Melissa, Lovely Maiden, by J. Dale, published ca. 1789 in London, which uses a version of the melody that is quite similar to the original.

    Apparently, the name “Rousseau’s Dream” was first used in print in 1812, with the London publication of Variations on “Rousseau’s Dream” (for solo piano), by J. B. Cramer. Cramer’s version of the melody contains two slight but significant alterations: the first phrase ends on scale-degree 1 (instead of 2), and the second phrase (m.3) starts a third higher than the original. These changes are interesting because they were retained throughout the century that followed, as Rousseau’s Dream gradually evolved into the American folk song Go Tell Aunt Rhody.

    There are many documented variants of the Go Tell Aunt Rhody melody, but the vast majority of them contain only four measures, repeated again for each new verse. The melody appearing in the Suzuki books, however, uses the same 12-measure “A–B–A” form as Cramer’s version, therefore it is more precise to refer to the Suzuki melody as Rousseau’s Dream.

    Source:
    Vistas of American music, no.10:
    Go tell Aunt Rhody She’s Rousseau’s dream, by Murl J. Sickbert, Jr.

    Volume 1:  1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17
    Return to the main menu.

  5. O Come, Little Children

    listed composer
    Folk Song
    composers
    melody: Johann Abraham Peter Schulz (1747–1800)
    lyrics: Christoph von Schmid (1768–1854)
    source
    Sechszig deutsche Lieder für dreißig Pfennige.
    Erstes Heft.
    25. Das Kindlein in der Krippe (“Ihr Kinderlein, kommet”)
    English title
    Sixty German Songs for Thirty Pennies.
    Volume 1.
    25. The baby in the manger (“O Come, Little Children”)
    dates
    1790: melody: “Wie reizend, wie wonnig”
    1798: lyrics
    1832: melody and lyrics first published together
    more information
    Wikipedia
    score
    Early edition (Bertelsmann, ca. 1850):
    WorldCat (pp.18–19)
    reproduction of the original score: pdf
    suggested recording
    [album cover]
    Vienna Boys’ Choir
    lyrics
    Original GermanEnglish translation
    Ihr Kinderlein, kommet, o kommet doch all,
    zur Krippe her kommet in Bethlehems Stall,
    und seht, was in dieser hochheiligen Nacht
    der Vater im Himmel für Freude uns macht!
    O come, little children, O come, one and all,
    O come to the manger in Bethlehem’s stall;
    And see what our Father on this holy night,
    Has sent us from Heaven for our pure delight.
    O seht in der Krippe, im nächtlichen Stall,
    seht hier bei des Lichtleins hellglänzendem Strahl
    in reinliche Windeln das himmlische Kind,
    viel schöner und holder als Engel es sind.
    O see, in the cradle, this night in the stall,
    O see how the light dazzles even us all;
    In pure gleaming white lies this Child, heaven’s love,
    More beaut’ous and holy than angels above.
    Da liegt es, ach, Kinder, auf Heu und auf Stroh;
    Maria und Joseph betrachten es froh;
    die redlichen Hirten knien betend davor,
    hoch oben schwebt jubelnd der Engelein Chor.
    Oh, there lies the Christ Child, on hay and on straw;
    The shepherds are kneeling before Him with awe.
    And Mary and Joseph smile on Him with love,
    While angels are singing sweet songs from above.
    O beugt, wie die Hirten, anbetend die Knie,
    erhebet die Händlein und danket wie sie;
    stimmt freudig, ihr Kinder, wer wollt sich nicht freun?
    stimmt freudig zum Jubel der Engel mit ein.
    O betet: Du liebes, du göttliches Kind,
    was leidest du alles für unsere Sünd!
    ach, hier in der Krippe schon Armuth und Noth,
    am Kreuze dort gar noch den bitteren Tod.
    Was geben wir Kinder, was schenken wir dir,
    du bestes und liebstes der Kinder, dafür?
    Nichts willst du von Schätzen und Reichthum der Welt;
    ein Herz nur voll Unschuld allein dir gefällt.
    So nimm unsre Herzen zum Opfer denn hin;
    wir geben sie gerne mit fröhlichem Sinn;
    und mache sie heilig und selig wie deins,
    und mach sie auf ewig mit deinem in eins.

    Christoph von Schmid (1768–1854)

    Volume 1:  1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17
    Return to the main menu.

  6. May Song

    listed composer
    Folk Song
    composer
    Folk melody;
    lyrics by Hoffmann von Fallersleben (1798–1874)
    original accompaniment by Marie Nathusius (1817–1857)
    source
    Vierzig Kinderlieder nach Original und Volks-Weisen mit Clavierbegleitung.
    33. Frühlingslied (“Alle Vögel sind schon da”)
    English title
    Forty Children’s Songs on Original and Folk Themes with Piano Accompaniment.
    33. Spring Song (“All the Birds are Already Here”)
    originally written for
    voice and piano
    dates
    1400s: melody
    1835: lyrics
    1847: melody and lyrics first printed together
    more information
    German Wikipedia | Liederprojekt | ingeb.org
    score
    original 1847 edition: pdf | WorldCat
    suggested recording
    [album cover]
    MeinVolkslied.de
    links: youtube
    listen: mp3
    lyrics
    Original GermanEnglish translation
    Alle Vögel sind schon da,
    alle Vögel, alle!
    Welch ein Singen, Musicier’n,
    Pfeifen, Zwitschern, Tirelier’n!
    Frühling will nun einmarschier’n,
    kommt mit Sang und Schalle.
    All the birds are already here,
    All the birds, all!
    What singing, music playing,
    Whistling, chirping, trills!
    Spring wants to arrive now,
    It comes with song and sounds.
    Wie sie alle lustig sind,
    flink und froh sich regen!
    Amsel, Droßel, Fink und Staar
    und die ganze Vogelschaar
    wünschet dir ein frohes Jahr,
    lauter Heil und Segen.
    How cheerful they all are,
    They move, nimble and gay!
    Blackbird, thrush, finch and starling,
    And a whole cloud of birds
    Wish you a happy new year,
    Higher holiness and blessing.
    Was sie uns verkündet nun,
    nehmen wir zu Herzen:
    wir auch wollen lustig sein,
    lustig wie die Vögelein,
    hier und dort, feldaus, feldein,
    singen, springen, scherzen.

    Hoffmann von Fallersleben (1798–1874)
    What they announce to us now
    Goes straight to our hearts:
    We want to be cheerful too,
    Cheerful like the little birds,
    Here and there, out and in the fields,
    We want to sing, to jump, to joke.

    (edited from this page)

    Volume 1:  1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17
    Return to the main menu.

  7. Long, Long Ago

    composer
    Thomas Haynes Bayly (1797–1839)
    original title
    Long, Long Ago!
    Ballad Composed by Th. H. Bayly Esqr.
    originally written for
    voice and piano
    date
    1833
    more information
    contemplator.com | folklorist.org | Wikipedia
    score
    indiana.edu | unc.ecu
    suggested recording
    [album cover]
    Unknown artist
    listen: mp3
    notes
    Also appears as Suzuki Vol.2 No.4.
    lyrics
    Tell me the tales that to me were so dear,
    Long long ago, long long ago:
    Sing me the songs I delighted to hear,
    Long long ago, long ago.
    Now you are come all my grief is remov’d,
    Let me forget that so long you have rov’d,
    Let me believe that you love as you lov’d,
    Long long ago, long ago.
    Do you remember the path where we met,
    Long long ago, long long ago?
    Ah yes you told me you ne’er would forget,
    Long long ago, long ago.
    Then to all others my smile you prefer’d,
    Love when you spoke gave a charm to each word,
    Still my heart treasures the praises I heard,
    Long long ago, long ago.
    Though by your kindness my fond hopes were rais’d,
    Long long ago, long long ago,
    You by more eloquent lips have been prais’d,
    Long long ago, long ago.
    But by long absence your truth has been tried,
    Still to your accents I listen with pride,
    Blest as I was when I sat by your side
    Long long ago, long ago.

    Volume 1:  1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17
    Return to the main menu.

  8. Allegro

    composer
    Shinichi Suzuki (1898–1998)
    originally written for
    violin and piano
    date
    1978?
    suggested recording
    [album cover]
    Shinichi Suzuki, violin

    Volume 1:  1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17
    Return to the main menu.

  9. Perpetual Motion

    composer
    Shinichi Suzuki (1898–1998)
    originally written for
    violin and piano
    date
    1978?
    suggested recording
    [album cover]
    Shinichi Suzuki, violin

    Volume 1:  1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17
    Return to the main menu.

  10. Allegretto

    composer
    Shinichi Suzuki (1898–1998)
    originally written for
    violin and piano
    date
    1978?
    suggested recording
    [album cover]
    Shinichi Suzuki, violin

    Volume 1:  1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17
    Return to the main menu.

  11. Andantino

    composer
    Shinichi Suzuki (1898–1998)
    originally written for
    violin and piano
    date
    1978?
    suggested recording
    [album cover]
    Shinichi Suzuki, violin

    Volume 1:  1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17
    Return to the main menu.

  12. Etude

    composer
    Shinichi Suzuki (1898–1998)
    originally written for
    violin and piano
    date
    1978?
    suggested recording
    [album cover]
    Shinichi Suzuki, violin

    Volume 1:  1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17
    Return to the main menu.

  13. Minuet No. 1

    listed composer
    Johann Sebastian Bach (1685–1750)
    composer
    attributed to Johann Sebastian Bach
    source
    Suite in G minor, BWV 822
    V. Menuet III
    originally written for
    keyboard (harpsichord, organ, etc.)
    date
    before 1708
    more information
    bach-cantatas.com
    score
    Bach-Gesellschaft Ausgabe:
    does not appear.
    Neue Bach Ausgabe:
    Series V, Volume 10, p.76: pdf
    suggested recording
    [album cover]
    Michele Barchi, harpsichord
    links: amazon | WorldCat
    listen: mp3
    notes
    The Suite is sometimes labeled Overture or Ouverture. Suzuki Vol. 3 No. 3 (Gavotte in G minor) also comes from this Suite. The autograph may be in the Andreas Bach Book or the Möller Manuscript.

    Volume 1:  1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17
    Return to the main menu.

  14. Minuet No. 2

    listed composer
    Johann Sebastian Bach (1685–1750)
    composer
    most likely not J. S. Bach,
    sometimes attributed to Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach (1714–1788)
    source
    Notenbüchlein für Anna Magdalena Bach (1725)
    7. Menuet, BWV Anhang 116
    originally written for
    keyboard (harpsichord, organ, etc.)
    date
    1725?
    more information
    Wikipedia
    score
    Original manuscript:
    Bach Gesellschaft Ausgabe:
    Band 43.2 p.28 IMSLP (p.23 of the pdf)
    Neue Bach Ausgabe:
    Series V, Volume 4.
    suggested recording
    [album cover] [album cover]
    Luc Beauséjour, harpsichord

    Volume 1:  1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17
    Return to the main menu.

  15. Minuet No. 3

    listed composer
    Johann Sebastian Bach (1685–1750)
    composer
    attributed to Christian Petzold (1677–1733)
    source
    Notenbüchlein für Anna Magdalena Bach (1725)
    4. Menuet, BWV Anhang 114
    originally written for
    keyboard (harpsichord, organ, etc.)
    date
    1725?
    more information
    Wikipedia
    score
    Original manuscript:
    Bach Gesellschaft Ausgabe:
    Band 43.2 p.26 IMSLP (p.21 of the pdf)
    Neue Bach Ausgabe:
    Series V, Volume 4.
    suggested recording
    [album cover] [album cover]
    Luc Beauséjour, harpsichord

    Volume 1:  1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17
    Return to the main menu.

  16. The Happy Farmer

    composer
    Robert Schumann (1810–1856)
    source
    Album für die Jugend, Op. 68
    10. Fröhlicher Landmann, von der Arbeit zurückkehrend
    translation
    Album for the Young, Op. 68
    10. Happy farmer, returning from work
    originally written for
    piano
    date
    1848
    more information
    Wikipedia
    score
    IMSLP (p.8 of 50)
    suggested recording
    [album cover]
    Jan Vermeulen, fortepiano

    Volume 1:  1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17
    Return to the main menu.

  17. Gavotte

    composer
    François Joseph Gossec (1734–1829)
    source
    Rosine (opera)
    Act ? Scene ?: Gavotte
    originally written for
    ?
    date
    1786
    more information
    suzukiskeptic | Wikipedia
    score
    WorldCat
    suggested recording
    This opera has not been recorded.

    Volume 1:  1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17
    Return to the main menu.