Composer

:

Frederic Rzewski

Genre

:

Keyboard

Style

:

Suite

Compose Date

:

1978 - 1979

Average_duration

:

33:59

Movement_count

:

4

Movement ....

Frederic Rzewski's 'North American Ballads (4)' is a composition for solo piano that was composed in 1979. The piece was premiered by the composer himself in the same year. The composition consists of four movements, each of which is based on a traditional American folk song. The first movement, 'Dreadful Memories,' is based on the folk song 'The House Carpenter.' The movement is characterized by its haunting melody and its use of dissonant harmonies. The second movement, 'Which Side Are You On?,' is based on the song of the same name, which was written by Florence Reece during the Harlan County War in Kentucky. The movement is characterized by its driving rhythm and its use of repetitive motifs. The third movement, 'Down by the Riverside,' is based on the spiritual of the same name. The movement is characterized by its joyful and celebratory mood, as well as its use of syncopated rhythms. The final movement, 'Winnsboro Cotton Mill Blues,' is based on a song written by Pete Seeger and Lee Hays in 1941. The movement is characterized by its use of percussive and rhythmic elements, as well as its incorporation of blues and jazz influences. Overall, 'North American Ballads (4)' is a powerful and evocative work that showcases Rzewski's skill as a composer and his deep connection to American folk music. The piece is notable for its use of traditional melodies and themes, which are reimagined and transformed through Rzewski's unique musical language.

More....