Ramon L. Ricker is Professor Emeritus of Saxophone, and retired Senior Associate Dean for Professional Studies at the Eastman School of Music. His arrangements have been commissioned by the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, and the American, Atlanta, Cincinnati and North Carolina Symphonies, and his works are published by Schott Music (Germany), Alphonse Leduc (Paris), Alfred Music (USA) and Jamey Aebersold (USA).

– Ramon L. Ricker

The composer’s Variations on Mein junges Leben hat ein End (My young life has ended) was originally composed for organ. The specific date of composition is unknown and the melody is likely of German origin, as it first appears in several printed collections by German composers in the early 1600s. Following a simple presentation of the theme, six variations follow that explore the motivic and harmonic possibilities of the original material. The arrangement adds an array of color made possible by modern instruments while remaining faithful to the original composition.

– Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck