This work began as a piano solo and was arranged for piano and military band in 1918 while Grainger was a member of the U.S. Coast Guard Artillery Band (oboist). It reflects Grainger's sense that the lower octaves of the larger reed instruments provide the greatest expressivity. The piece was dedicated to "my playmate beyond the hills," thought to be a Scandinavian girl whom Grainger could not marry due to his mother's jealousy and possessiveness. --James Huff 06:45, 13 May 2008 (UTC) (from the program notes of The Claremont Winds, submitted with permission)