Variations on Balkan Themes, Op. 60
One of the most prominent female American composers of the 19th century. Ms. Beach’s work offers power, thick texture and is not the most American sounding of compositions. Her variations are built on a beautiful theme, which she then embellishes through this large work. Littered with many technical demands, thirds, octaves, runs, it is difficult to determine the overall structure of the work. However moments where the melody shines through the virtuosic display are quite gorgeous indeed. In conclusion, this is a great work to build up your chops..
Four Sketches, Op. 15
Another set by Beach, Four Sketches offers a look into composition of miniatures. Each work has its own title, cleverly depicted by specific compositional techniques. The opening Autumn has a consistent staccato 8th note rhythm representing falling leaves, in the bass while a folk like melody plays overhead. Phantoms adopt a 3/8 with scherzando tempi to quicken the pace. Dreaming opens with triplet figuration in 4/4, which dominates the piece while melody eventually sounds. Fire-flies welcomes an army of thirds, which suitable portrays the sound of fire-flies.
Edward Macdowell, was another fellow American composer who composed very much in the European tradition. His set Woodland Sketches; New England Idyls does have touches of American folk-song, however on the whole, it is hard to spot an ‘American’ sound. His most famous work ‘To a Wild Rose’, takes the spotlight in the set. With its simplicity and ‘easy listening’ harmonic changes, it’s a sure crowd pleaser at a rest home.
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