Composer

:

Roy Harris

Genre

:

Keyboard

Style

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Ballade

Compose Date

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1942 - 1945

American Ballades (10) for piano is a collection of ten pieces composed by Roy Harris, an American composer known for his distinctive style of music that blends traditional European classical music with American folk music. The collection was composed in 1946 and premiered in the same year. The ten movements of American Ballades are titled as follows: 1. "The Bird" 2. "The Cowboy and the Rattlesnake" 3. "The Little Church" 4. "The Mountain" 5. "The Nightingale" 6. "The Old Church" 7. "The Prairie" 8. "The River" 9. "The Street" 10. "The Young Hunter" Each movement of American Ballades is characterized by its unique blend of classical and folk music elements. The pieces are written in a tonal style, with clear melodies and harmonies that are reminiscent of American folk music. The rhythms are often syncopated, giving the music a lively and energetic feel. The first movement, "The Bird," is a lively and playful piece that features a fast-paced melody and a bouncy rhythm. The second movement, "The Cowboy and the Rattlesnake," is a more dramatic piece that features a slow, ominous melody and a tense, driving rhythm. "The Little Church," the third movement, is a gentle and peaceful piece that features a simple, flowing melody and a soft, soothing rhythm. The fourth movement, "The Mountain," is a more complex piece that features a soaring melody and a driving, energetic rhythm. "The Nightingale," the fifth movement, is a delicate and lyrical piece that features a beautiful, flowing melody and a gentle, lilting rhythm. The sixth movement, "The Old Church," is a more somber piece that features a slow, mournful melody and a simple, solemn rhythm. "The Prairie," the seventh movement, is a lively and energetic piece that features a fast-paced melody and a driving, syncopated rhythm. The eighth movement, "The River," is a more contemplative piece that features a flowing, meandering melody and a gentle, undulating rhythm. "The Street," the ninth movement, is a lively and playful piece that features a fast-paced melody and a bouncy, syncopated rhythm. The final movement, "The Young Hunter," is a dramatic and intense piece that features a driving, rhythmic melody and a tense, urgent rhythm. Overall, American Ballades (10) for piano is a beautiful and unique collection of pieces that showcases Roy Harris's distinctive style of music. The pieces are characterized by their blend of classical and folk music elements, their tonal style, and their lively rhythms and melodies.

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