Four Seasonal Sketches: III. Autumn Dance
Betty Jackson KingPiece Duration: 2:30
About this Piece
(Movement III. is 5:23-7:23)
Program Note: "We can hear vocal influences in her Four Seasonal Sketches (1955), such as the flowery lyricism of the opening “Spring Intermezzo,” the the warm harmonic colourings of “Summer Interlude,” the melodic catchiness and singability of “Autumn Dance,” and the close harmonies and crisp dissonances of “Winter Holiday.”
Little has been documented about the performance history of this work, but one striking detail is that she dedicates Four Seasonal Sketches to her Chicago colleague and friend Geneva Handy Southall. Dr. Southall was a pianist and pioneer in Black music scholarship. This dedication therefore demonstrates the collegiality and reverence that defined the dynamics between the women of the Black Renaissance." - Helen Walker Hill
Bass Line / Ostinato: (Notes: D E D A) remains constant throughout the entire movement! (See Notable Passage below for suggested activity)
Movements Featured:
I. Spring Intermezzo
III. Autumn Dance
Notable Passages
Description:
Bass Line / Ostinato: Notes are D E D A. This bass line sticks around for the entire movement!
- Listen to this notable passage
- Try to play the bass line on a piano or other instrument
- Listen to the entire movement above!
- Ask yourselves: how does the composer keep the music interesting, even though there is so much repetition?
Keywords: Bass Line , Ostinato - Composition Technique , Ostinato - Form