Theme and Variations on "À la Claire Fontaine" for Large Orchestra

This theme and variations for large orchestra is based on the traditional French/Québécois song "À la Claire Fontaine". This anonymous song has a simple, yet beautiful melody that tells of unrequited love and lost friends.
While writing this piece, I tried to think about the various musicians and composers who might have encountered the melody. I drew inspiration from folk sources like call and response songs and traditional fiddling, but also from classical sources, where I tried to imagine what other musical traditions might have incorporated the melody into their style.