Composer

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Norman Dello Joio

Genre

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Keyboard

Style

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Etude

Average_duration

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11:18

Norman Dello Joio's 'Short Intervallic Etudes' is a collection of twelve short pieces for solo piano. The work was composed in 1950 and premiered the same year by pianist Beveridge Webster. The twelve movements of the work are each based on a different interval, ranging from the minor second to the major seventh. Each movement explores the interval in various ways, including melodic and harmonic variations, rhythmic patterns, and dynamic contrasts. The first movement, based on the minor second interval, features a dissonant and angular melody that is repeated and developed throughout the piece. The second movement, based on the major second interval, is more lyrical and features a flowing melody with a gentle accompaniment. The third movement, based on the minor third interval, is marked by its haunting and melancholic melody, while the fourth movement, based on the major third interval, is more upbeat and playful. The fifth movement, based on the perfect fourth interval, features a simple and repetitive melody that gradually builds in intensity. The sixth movement, based on the tritone interval, is marked by its dissonant and unsettling harmonies. The seventh movement, based on the perfect fifth interval, is more contemplative and introspective, while the eighth movement, based on the minor sixth interval, is more lively and rhythmic. The ninth movement, based on the major sixth interval, features a soaring and expressive melody, while the tenth movement, based on the minor seventh interval, is more subdued and introspective. The eleventh movement, based on the major seventh interval, is marked by its bright and optimistic melody, while the final movement, based on the octave interval, brings the work to a triumphant and energetic close. Overall, 'Short Intervallic Etudes' is a challenging and virtuosic work that showcases Dello Joio's mastery of harmony, melody, and rhythm. The work is characterized by its inventive use of intervals and its wide range of moods and emotions.

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