Zodiac Suite: Cancer

Mary Lou Williams
Piece Duration: 4:00

About this Piece

Program Note: "Zodiac Suite was the first orchestral program Mary Lou Williams composed in her own name, originally produced in 1945, but never performed by a full orchestra in her lifetime; her largest arrangement was also limited to a much smaller 45-instrument grouping. 

The Zodiac Suite explores varying eras and musical styles, with Williams referencing beloved artists and influences in her life grouped under their respective astrological signs. Cancer is dedicated to Lem Davis (jazz alto saxophonist)." - Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra

Arrangement: Originally performed as a piano piece - https://youtu.be/m7Lo9JSqe6E

Featured Movements:
-Aries
-Taurus
-Gemini
-Cancer
-Libra
-Scorpio
-Sagittarius 
-Capricorn
-Aquarius

Notable Passages

Listen
Time Stamp: 0:00 — 1:45
Description:

Cancer begins in a slow Adagio!


Keywords: Adagio
Listen
Time Stamp: 1:45 — 2:19
Description:

Listen to these chromatic half step passages! The entire ensemble plays in similar rhythm, making this section homophonic!


Keywords: Chromatic , Homophony
Listen
Time Stamp: 2:27 — 4:00
Description:

Cancer is dedicated to the saxophonist Lem Davis. The end of this movement features an improvised saxophone solo!


Keywords: Improvisation - Expressive Elements , Improvisation - Form
Keywords Featured in this Piece
Adagio
Arrangement
Chromatic
Homophony
Improvisation - Expressive Elements
Improvisation - Form
Improvisation - Melody
Suite
Symphony Orchestra