Composer

:

Joseph Fennimore

Genre

:

Keyboard

Style

:

Keyboard

Compose Date

:

1983

Average_duration

:

11:06

'Crystal Stairs for piano' is a contemporary classical composition by American composer Joseph Fennimore. The piece was composed in 1986 and premiered in the same year. It is a single-movement work that lasts approximately 10 minutes. The piece is characterized by its use of intricate harmonies and rhythms, as well as its virtuosic piano writing. The title 'Crystal Stairs' is taken from a line in the Langston Hughes poem "Mother to Son," which describes the struggles and hardships of life as a climb up a staircase. Fennimore's composition reflects this idea through its use of ascending and descending melodic lines and its shifting tonal centers. The piece begins with a series of rapid arpeggios that set the stage for the virtuosic piano writing to come. The main theme is introduced in the right hand, a series of ascending and descending lines that are echoed in the left hand. The theme is then developed through a series of variations that explore different harmonies and textures. Throughout the piece, Fennimore employs a variety of techniques to create a sense of tension and release. These include sudden shifts in dynamics, unexpected harmonies, and rhythmic displacements. The middle section of the piece features a slower, more introspective theme that provides a contrast to the frenetic energy of the opening section. The final section of the piece returns to the main theme, which is now presented in a more triumphant and celebratory manner. The piece ends with a series of rapid arpeggios that bring the work to a thrilling conclusion. Overall, 'Crystal Stairs for piano' is a challenging and exciting work that showcases Fennimore's skill as a composer and pianist. Its use of complex harmonies and rhythms, as well as its virtuosic piano writing, make it a favorite among contemporary classical pianists.

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