Composer

:

Jean Roger-Ducasse

Genre

:

Keyboard

Compose Date

:

1920

Average_duration

:

8:55

Barcarolle No. 2 is a piano composition by French composer Jean Roger-Ducasse. It was composed in 1913 and premiered the same year in Paris. The piece is divided into three movements and has a total duration of approximately 12 minutes. The first movement, marked "Andante," begins with a gentle, flowing melody in the right hand accompanied by arpeggiated chords in the left hand. The melody is reminiscent of a boat gently rocking on the waves, which is fitting given the piece's title (a barcarolle is a song traditionally sung by Venetian gondoliers). The movement builds to a climax before subsiding back into the gentle opening theme. The second movement, marked "Allegro," is more lively and energetic than the first. It features a playful, syncopated melody in the right hand accompanied by a driving rhythm in the left hand. The movement is characterized by its use of syncopation and sudden shifts in dynamics, which give it a sense of unpredictability and excitement. The final movement, marked "Andante con moto," returns to the gentle, flowing melody of the first movement. However, this time the melody is more complex and ornamented, with trills and runs adding a sense of virtuosity to the piece. The movement builds to a dramatic climax before subsiding back into the gentle opening theme, bringing the piece to a peaceful close. Overall, Barcarolle No. 2 is a beautiful and evocative piano composition that showcases Roger-Ducasse's skill as a composer. Its use of flowing melodies, syncopated rhythms, and sudden shifts in dynamics make it a challenging and rewarding piece for pianists to perform.

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