Composer

:

Henry Cowell

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

Compose Date

:

Feb 21, 1938

First Performance

:

Mar 14, 1938

Average_duration

:

7:04

Movement_count

:

3

Movement ....

Henry Cowell's "Anti-Modernist Songs (3), HC 542" is a set of three songs composed in 1930. The premiere of the work took place on March 6, 1931, at the New School for Social Research in New York City. The three movements of the work are titled "The Banshee," "The Harp of Life," and "The Lilt of the Reel." The first movement, "The Banshee," is a haunting and dissonant piece that features extended techniques on the piano, including playing directly on the strings and using the sostenuto pedal to create a sustained, eerie sound. The piece is meant to evoke the Irish mythological creature of the same name, which is said to wail and scream when someone is about to die. The second movement, "The Harp of Life," is a more lyrical and tonal piece that features a simple melody played in the right hand of the piano while the left hand plays a series of arpeggios. The piece is meant to evoke the idea of the harp as a symbol of life and the beauty of nature. The final movement, "The Lilt of the Reel," is a lively and rhythmic piece that features a fast-paced melody played in the right hand of the piano while the left hand plays a series of chords. The piece is meant to evoke the energy and excitement of traditional Irish dance music. Overall, "Anti-Modernist Songs (3), HC 542" is a unique and innovative work that showcases Cowell's experimentation with extended techniques and his interest in incorporating folk music into his compositions. The work is a testament to Cowell's commitment to pushing the boundaries of traditional Western classical music and exploring new sounds and ideas.

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