Southland Sketches: Introduction and Movement I

(Starts at 0:12)

Program Note: "Composed in 1916, Harry Thacker Burleigh’s Southland Sketches is a great example of Burleigh’s quintessential American style. Scored for violin and piano, Southland Sketches takes the listener on a journey through various quirks of the American style that Burleigh pioneered in the early 1900s.

[Movement I opens] with a melodic piano introduction, the violin enters and shadows the dotted rhythms from the piano. The two move together through certain parts of phrases to emphasize the subtle changes in rhythm. As the violin part becomes more decorated and rushed with notes, the piano accompaniment always provides a supportive foundation for the soloist. As the melody flourishes near the end, Burleigh reintroduces the opening simple theme that leads the music to its sweet end." - Alex Burns

Rhythmic Duration: This movement is full of dotted eighth note - sixteenth note groupings!

Table of Contents:
Introduction and Movement I
Movement II
Movement III
Movement IV