Six Songs without Words – Set Five

This set, composed during the late summer and early autumn of 2018, follows the key scheme started in the first four sets. Click on the links below to see page 1 of the scores:

Song number one in B flat major – Allegro ma anche sognante

Song number two in G minor – Valse con angoscia

Song number three in G flat major – Lento con bellezza squisita (Listen using the SoundCloud link below.)

Song number four in D major – Allegro moderato (Listen using the SoundCloud link below.) With its rising melodic lines and stride pattern accompaniment, the outer sections of this song have a cheerful sense of bonhomie and the triplet figurations in the middle section provide a flowing contrast. Slightly surprisingly, the piece comes to a quiet sense of repose at the end.

Song number five in B minor – Molto lento e torturato

Song number six in B flat major – Poco presto e leggiero

The substantial first piece of this set is a somewhat romanticised menuet and this is followed by a plaintive waltz. Piece Three begins like a chorale, and though quite short, builds to an expansive mid-way point before returning to more tranquil tones. The lively fourth piece is followed by one of the most poignant pieces of the entire project, expressive of both desolation and rage. After this the skittish final piece brings this set to a cheery conclusion.