The
suite is a pictorial depiction enshrining the composer's love for the
Sussex downs and has been described by Donald McLeod as "sunnily bucolic". In keeping with its intention as a contest piece, the suite is both technical and expressive, and is complicated and difficult to read. This leads to the bandmaster having great control over the arrangement. The first
movement, the Prelude, contains contrasting solo and
tutti passages. The rhythms of the Prelude also contrast the following more tender, harmonious second movement, the Elegy. The Elegy and Minuet are among Ireland’s most popular compositions. The Elegy has an
Elgarian flavour from its melodic structure whereas the Minuet is charming, having something of a bucolic feel. A performance of the suite usually lasts about eighteen minutes. The first three movements were
arranged for
string orchestra a number of years later by one of Ireland's students,
Geoffrey Bush, who also
transcribed Ireland's
Elegiac Meditation. The suite was also transcribed for
wind band in 1997 by
Ray Steadman-Allen. ==References==