Composer

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Roy Harris

Genre

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Keyboard

Style

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Song

Average_duration

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1:54

American Ballads (10) for piano: No. 1, Streets of Laredo is a composition by American composer Roy Harris. It was composed in 1946 and premiered on March 9, 1947, by pianist Leonard Shure at the New School for Social Research in New York City. The piece is the first in a set of ten piano ballads that Harris composed between 1946 and 1952. Each ballad is based on a traditional American folk song or ballad, and Harris sought to capture the spirit and character of each song in his compositions. Streets of Laredo is based on the traditional cowboy ballad of the same name, which tells the story of a dying cowboy who reflects on his life and regrets. Harris's composition captures the mournful and reflective mood of the song, with a slow and somber melody that is accompanied by simple, chordal accompaniment. The piece is in ABA form, with the A section featuring the main melody and the B section providing a contrasting middle section. The A section is marked by a slow and mournful tempo, with a simple and sparse accompaniment that allows the melody to shine through. The B section is more lively and rhythmic, with a faster tempo and more complex harmonies. Overall, Streets of Laredo is a beautiful and poignant composition that captures the essence of the traditional cowboy ballad on which it is based. Harris's use of simple melodies and harmonies, combined with his skillful use of dynamics and phrasing, creates a powerful and moving musical experience that is both timeless and uniquely American.

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