Three Black Kings: Part II. (King Solomon)
Duke EllingtonPiece Duration: 7:23
About this Piece
(Part II. is 5:13-12:36)
Program Note: "Intended as a 'eulogy for Martin Luther King, Jr.,' Three Black Kings continues Ellington’s series of narrative symphonic pieces – a series that includes Black, Brown, and Beige (1943), Harlem (1950), and Night Creature (1955).
The episodic second movement, which fluctuates between sultry strings accompanied by harp and upbeat passages reminiscent of Ellington’s jazz orchestra, evokes King Solomon’s taste for love more than his fabled wisdom.” — Douglas Shadle
Table of Contents:
I. King Balthazar
II. King Solomon
III. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Notable Passages
Description:
Listen for the legato articulation in this section! The oboe has the melody, while the strings, harp, and piano provide a lush orchestral texture. At 6:12, the trumpet takes the melody!
Keywords: Legato
Description:
Let's test our harmony listening skills!
Underneath the oboe solo, the strings play quiet harmonies that change in each measure. Focus your ears on the strings, and listen for their harmonic motion!
The harmonic rhythm follows a pattern: 1 bar, 1 bar, 2 bars.
(Or, 4 beats, 4 beats, 8 beats!)
The 2 bar harmonies are easy to find! Just look for the two whole notes that are held together by a long tie!
(Note: The harmonic rhythm pattern breaks in the middle [just 1 bar each], and at the very end of the passage, when it changes on the half note.)
Keywords: Harmonic Motion , Harmonic Rhythm , Harmony - Misc. , Rhythmic Duration
Description:
The trumpet has the melody, here! Their musical line is full of tenuto articulations.
Can you find the lead sheet notation provided under their line of music? These chord symbols tell them which harmonies the orchestra is playing, just in case they decide to improvise!
Keywords: Brass Instruments , Harmonic Motion , Harmony - Misc. , Tenuto
Description:
Luscious string, oboe, and trumpet melodies bookend this movement! In the middle, an upbeat bossa nova and saxophone solo in jazz style bring contrast to the music. Listen to the moment where things change, here!
Keywords: Contrast
Description:
The tenor saxophone improvises a solo in jazz style. Duke Ellington writes “solo ad lib.” in their sheet music, where the solo begins.
In this recording, even when Ellington has notated material for the player briefly at 9:14, they continue to ornament and improvise their own material! Listen to them go for it!
Keywords: Improvisation - Expressive Elements , Improvisation - Form , Improvisation - Melody
Description:
Listen for the eighth rest + eighth syncopation, found in the brass!
(This happens again at 8:39-9:03)
Keywords: Syncopation
Description:
The eighth rest + eighth syncopation returns, and the music is twice as fast! Hold onto your hats!
Keywords: Syncopation