Composer

:

Edward MacDowell

Genre

:

Keyboard

Style

:

Keyboard

Compose Date

:

1901 - 1902

Average_duration

:

13:18

Movement_count

:

6

Movement ....

Fireside Tales (6), Op. 61 is a collection of six character pieces for solo piano composed by Edward MacDowell. The work was composed in 1898 and premiered the same year in Boston, Massachusetts. The six movements are titled "Of Br'er Rabbit," "An Old Love Story," "From a German Forest," "The Wooing of Tokala," "A Haunted House," and "The Robin Sings in the Apple Tree." Each movement of Fireside Tales is a musical depiction of a different story or scene. "Of Br'er Rabbit" is a playful and lively piece that captures the mischievous nature of the famous trickster rabbit from African American folklore. "An Old Love Story" is a tender and nostalgic piece that tells the story of a long-lost love. "From a German Forest" is a haunting and atmospheric piece that evokes the mystery and magic of a dark forest. "The Wooing of Tokala" is a romantic and lyrical piece that tells the story of a Native American warrior's courtship of his beloved. "A Haunted House" is a spooky and eerie piece that captures the feeling of being in a haunted house. "The Robin Sings in the Apple Tree" is a joyful and uplifting piece that celebrates the beauty of nature. MacDowell's Fireside Tales is characterized by its use of programmatic music, which is music that tells a story or depicts a scene. The pieces are also notable for their use of folk melodies and rhythms, which give them a distinctly American flavor. MacDowell was a leading figure in the American Romantic movement, and Fireside Tales is a prime example of his unique style and approach to music. Overall, Fireside Tales (6), Op. 61 is a charming and evocative collection of character pieces that showcases MacDowell's talent for storytelling through music. The work remains a beloved part of the piano repertoire and is frequently performed and recorded today.

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