Composer

:

William Grant Still

Genre

:

Keyboard

Style

:

Keyboard

Compose Date

:

1935

Average_duration

:

3:44

Summerland is a piano solo composed by William Grant Still in 1936. It was premiered in the same year by pianist Margaret Bonds. The piece is divided into three movements, each with its own distinct characteristics. The first movement, marked "Slow and expressive," is characterized by a mournful melody that is reminiscent of a spiritual. The left hand plays a simple, repetitive pattern while the right hand carries the melody. The movement is marked by a sense of longing and sadness, as if the pianist is mourning a lost loved one. The second movement, marked "Moderately fast," is more upbeat and lively. The melody is more complex, with the right hand playing a syncopated rhythm while the left hand provides a steady bass line. The movement is marked by a sense of joy and celebration, as if the pianist is reveling in the beauty of nature. The third movement, marked "Slow and expressive," returns to the mournful melody of the first movement. However, this time the melody is played in a higher register, giving it a more ethereal quality. The left hand plays a more complex pattern, adding to the sense of otherworldliness. The movement ends with a sense of peace and acceptance, as if the pianist has come to terms with their loss. Overall, Summerland is a beautiful and evocative piece that showcases William Grant Still's skill as a composer. The piece is marked by a sense of longing and sadness, but also by a sense of joy and celebration. It is a fitting tribute to the beauty of nature and the human spirit.

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