Victor Babin

Hillandale Waltzes

Hillandale Waltzes for clarinet and piano was composed by Victor Babin, a well-known pianist, educator, and a pupil of Franz Schreker, towards the end of World War II (1947). The composition was dedicated to Standard Oil heiress Ann Archbold, who kindly housed the Babins in her Hillandale mansion in Washington, D.C., near Georgetown University. The work was subtitled "Eight Waltz Movements Composed on a Theme by Johann N. Hummel." Hummel used this melody twice in both a piano duet and a work for oboe and orchestra. The Babins were very familiar with the former piece, having frequently performed it. In addition to the edition for clarinet and piano, which is also available from the publsher, American clarinetist Dennis Nygren has also arranged this edition of "Hillandale Waltzes" for solo clarinet, 16 winds, double bass, and percussion.