Composer

:

Paul Milton Harvey

Genre

:

Chamber

Style

:

Chamber Music

Compose Date

:

1975

Average_duration

:

7:45

The 'Suite on Themes of Gershwin' is a composition by Paul Milton Harvey, an American composer and pianist. The suite was composed in 1975 and premiered in the same year. It is a four-movement work that features themes from the music of George Gershwin, an American composer and pianist who was active in the early 20th century. The first movement of the suite is titled 'Prelude' and is based on the opening theme of Gershwin's 'Rhapsody in Blue'. The movement begins with a solo piano introduction that leads into a lively and energetic section featuring the full orchestra. The movement is characterized by its syncopated rhythms and jazzy harmonies, which are hallmarks of Gershwin's music. The second movement is titled 'Blues' and is based on the blues theme from Gershwin's 'Porgy and Bess'. The movement features a solo trumpet playing the main theme, accompanied by the orchestra. The movement is characterized by its slow tempo and melancholic mood, which reflects the blues tradition. The third movement is titled 'Fugue' and is based on the fugue theme from Gershwin's 'Prelude No. 2'. The movement features a complex interplay between the different sections of the orchestra, with each section taking turns playing the main theme. The movement is characterized by its contrapuntal texture and intricate harmonies, which are typical of fugue writing. The final movement is titled 'Finale' and is based on the final section of Gershwin's 'An American in Paris'. The movement features a lively and upbeat theme that is played by the full orchestra. The movement is characterized by its use of syncopated rhythms and jazzy harmonies, which are hallmarks of Gershwin's music. Overall, the 'Suite on Themes of Gershwin' is a tribute to the music of George Gershwin and showcases the composer's unique style and musical language. The suite is characterized by its use of syncopated rhythms, jazzy harmonies, and intricate contrapuntal textures, which are hallmarks of both Gershwin and Harvey's music.

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