Jamaican Dance No. 2

Program Note: "Oswald Russell (1933-2012) was a Jamaican composer who wrote a number of important pieces of music during the 20th and 21st centuries. His Jamaican Dances were composed in 1970, and is comprised of three short vignettes for solo piano.

The slower second dance is set in a Romantic style, however Russell uses harmony here to create an edge on his unique perspective. The soaring melody sits neatly on top of the fluctuating bass line, making this movement a real scene-stealer. Russell’s accessible style is heard throughout this movement, with the gentle harmony accentuating this sensitive melody." - Alex Burns

Oblique Motion, Interval: Throughout most of this piece, a B natural is heard in various octaves, with other musical material moving around it! Listen to how the octave B's create a gentle ending to the dance. Find and play several B's on the piano, and listen for them in this piece!