Composer

:

Percy Grainger

Genre

:

Keyboard

Style

:

Piece

Compose Date

:

1930

Publication Date

:

1931

Average_duration

:

3:52

Blithe Bells is a piano composition by Percy Grainger, an Australian-born composer and pianist. The piece was composed in 1931 and premiered in the same year. It is a set of variations on Bach's "Sheep May Safely Graze" from his Cantata BWV 208. Blithe Bells is composed in two versions, one for solo piano and the other for two pianos. The solo piano version is in three movements, while the two-piano version has four movements. The first movement of the solo piano version is a theme and variations, with Grainger taking Bach's original melody and transforming it through a series of variations that showcase his virtuosic piano writing. The second movement is a scherzo, with a playful and light-hearted character that contrasts with the more serious tone of the first movement. The final movement is a rondo, with a lively and energetic character that brings the piece to a thrilling conclusion. The two-piano version of Blithe Bells adds an additional movement, a set of variations on the traditional English folk song "Green Bushes." This movement is similar in character to the first movement of the solo piano version, with Grainger taking the folk melody and transforming it through a series of variations that showcase his virtuosic piano writing. Overall, Blithe Bells is a charming and delightful work that showcases Grainger's skill as a composer and pianist. The piece is characterized by its playful and light-hearted character, as well as its virtuosic piano writing and inventive use of variation form.

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