Gould, Morton : Pavanne (from American Symphonette No. 2)
Work Overview
Instrumentation:Piano Solo
Genre:Reduction/Arrangement
Total Playing Time:3 min 00 sec
Copyright:Under Copyright Protection
Commentary (1)
Author : Nishihara, Masaki
Last Updated: July 18, 2023
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Author : Nishihara, Masaki
This is the second movement of Morton Gould's orchestral work "American Symphonette No. 2," arranged by the composer himself for piano solo. The original piece is the middle movement of a light classical suite (totaling three movements) that incorporates elements of jazz and pop. It modernizes the archaic image of a pavane by employing blue notes, swing rhythms, and seventh chords. Combining an elegant flow with a subtle wit, it has enjoyed long-standing popularity since its release. In post-war Japan, it was reportedly always played during the commercial breaks of "Shabondama Holiday," meaning tens of thousands of people heard this piece on television every week. The piano version is a historically significant one, as Gould himself recorded it on an SP record. Its difficulty is kept to approximately Czerny 30 level, making it accessible to a wide range of players. It is marked Allegretto, 4/4 time, in F major. It begins with a simple single-note bass in the left hand supporting a smooth single-note melody in the right hand, developing with a light and nimble character. Versions for piano duet and two pianos are also available.
Arrangements & Related Works(2)
Gould, Morton: Pavanne (Second Movement from Symphonette No. 2)
Total Performance Time: 3 min 00 sec
Gould, Morton: Pavanne (Second Movement from Symphonette No. 2)
Total Performance Time: 3 min 00 sec