[Smt-talk] F SHARP MAJOR

[Devin Chaloux]

Ildar and the list,

I noticed something particularly strange about Gottschalk's piano music
when flipping through his Dover collection last night. He was very fond of
the 6 flat/6 sharp collection (though more often in 6 flats and more often
E-flat minor than G-flat major.)

Most pianists know "The Banjo" (or at least should know it) for its
complexity both in "note-y-ness" and in trying to mimic the sound of a
banjo. My guess is that F#-major actually makes the piece easier by
utilizing all of the black notes and thus allowing the pianist to play on
top of the keys (for that extra light touch necessary to mimic the banjo).
It's a fantastic show piece, great for beginning a program or as an encore!

Best,

*Devin Chaloux*
Indiana University
Ph.D. in Music Theory (enrolled)
University of Cincinnati - College-Conservatory of Music
M.M. in Music Theory '12
University of Connecticut
B.M. in Music Theory '10


On Tue, May 20, 2014 at 9:28 AM, Ildar Khannanov <solfeggio7 at yahoo.com>wrote:

> Dear Devin and the List,
>
> considering these interesting choices, made by different composers from
> different places and periods, it makes sense to talk about semantics of a
> key, beyond simple color associations. F sharp minor must have meant
> something to all these composers. How to express this semantic equivalent
> is another question, though.
>
> Best wishes,
>
> Ildar Khannanov
> Peabody Conservatory, Johns Hopkins University
> solfeggio7 at yahoo.com
>   On Tuesday, May 20, 2014 6:51 AM, Devin Chaloux <devin.chaloux at gmail.com>
> wrote:
>
>
> I have a few personal favorites that are from less traditional, but still
> common-practice sources:
>
> Edward MacDowell's "To A Water Lily" from Woodland Sketches, Op. 51/6 (one
> of my favorite in this set, free MP3 on IMSLP)
> Louis Moreau Gottschalk's "The Banjo"
> A couple from Grieg's Op. 43 Lyric Suites: "In My Homeland" Op. 43/3 and
> "To Spring" Op. 43/6
> Opening of George Whitfield Chadwick's tone poem "Aphrodite" (bearing an
> uncanny resemblance to the prelude of Tristan und Isolde...which is also
> strange because there have been some who have said the same about Melpomene
> too [see Bomberger])
> Cesar Franck's Piano Trio Op. 1/1 (first movement is in F# minor with a
> very significant section in F# major, finale is in F# major)
>
> Best,
>
> *Devin Chaloux*
> Indiana University
> Ph.D. in Music Theory (enrolled)
> University of Cincinnati - College-Conservatory of Music
> M.M. in Music Theory '12
> University of Connecticut
> B.M. in Music Theory '10
>
>
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