Six Songs Without Words – Set Two

This set was written in an intense spell at home during May 2018. It was the third set I had written, but I had by this point devised the ongoing key scheme for a major project of Songs without Words, and so these pieces were numbered as Set Two.

Click on the links below to view part of the scores.

Song no.1 in C sharp minor – Allegretto dolorante (listen to this song using the Soundcloud link below)

Song no.2 in E major – Allegretto scherzando (listen using the link below)

Song no.3 in F minor- Mesto (listen using the link below)

Song no. 4 in A minor – Tangissimo! (listen using the link below)

Song no. 5 in C major – Andante solenne (listen using the link below)

Song no. 6 in C sharp minor – Tempo di valse sentimentale (listen using the link below)

The first piece of this set is a poignant lament, each hand taking it in turns to weave the doleful, melodic material. A more intense outburst provides a brief refrain after each of the two verses after which a short fluttering figure in high register (borrowed from my song “A Broken Heart“) is heard.

Song number two is a scherzo which is somewhat dainty in manner.

From the outset of the nocturne-like piece three there is a mournful atmosphere, heightened by the unexpected second note of the plaintive melody. A brief excursion to B minor creates a colder moment but this seamlessly links to a middle section which has a warmer and more consoling feel helped by the duple quavers in the melody. When the opening melody returns it has an imitative counter-melody and so is less lonely. The piece ends with an eerie chord left hanging in the air like an unanswered question.

Number three then gives way to a very upbeat miniature tango, suggestive of the Milonga. Embracing the spirit of tango nuevo, the pianist has to do more than just play the keys.

This is followed by a hymn-like fifth song which starts reverentially and ends triumphantly.

The set ends with a waltz in which might be discerned a little Slavic flavour.