Composer

:

Richard Rodney Bennett

Compose Date

:

2000

Average_duration

:

17:11

Movement_count

:

7

Movement ....

Richard Rodney Bennett's 'Country Dances (7)' is a delightful collection of seven short pieces for piano, composed in 1974. The work was premiered in the same year by the composer himself at the Wigmore Hall in London. The seven movements of the work are titled 'The Saucy Arethusa', 'The Ladies' Misfortune', 'The Beggar Boy', 'The Old Mole', 'The Bonny Grey-Eyed Morn', 'The Night-Piece', and 'The Fandango'. Each movement is based on a traditional English folk tune, which Bennett has arranged in his own unique style. The first movement, 'The Saucy Arethusa', is a lively and playful dance in 6/8 time. The second movement, 'The Ladies' Misfortune', is a slower and more melancholic piece, with a haunting melody that is beautifully harmonized. The third movement, 'The Beggar Boy', is a sprightly dance in 2/4 time, with a catchy tune that is sure to get your toes tapping. The fourth movement, 'The Old Mole', is a quirky and humorous piece, with a playful melody that is full of surprises. The fifth movement, 'The Bonny Grey-Eyed Morn', is a gentle and lyrical piece, with a beautiful melody that is accompanied by delicate arpeggios in the left hand. The sixth movement, 'The Night-Piece', is a slow and atmospheric piece, with a haunting melody that is accompanied by rich harmonies and subtle shifts in tonality. The final movement, 'The Fandango', is a lively and energetic dance in 3/4 time, with a catchy tune that is sure to get your feet moving. Overall, 'Country Dances (7)' is a charming and delightful work that showcases Richard Rodney Bennett's skill as a composer and arranger. The pieces are full of character and charm, and are sure to delight audiences of all ages.

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