This month, Clef
Notes is looking at music for the four seasons and today, we finally make it to
the current season, autumn. What music moves your mind to reflect on the
colorful sunsets, falling leaves, and crisp temperatures we experience during
autumn in Cincinnati? Today, we’ll look at one piece that uses “autumn” in its
title, and another that is more appropriate for Thanksgiving, a very autumnal
holiday.
One would think
that Edvard Grieg wrote his In Autumn sometime
between the months of September and November, but in actuality, he composed the
work during the winter of 1865 and 1866 while visiting Rome. At first, he was
not pleased with his orchestration for the work so he only published a piano
duet version. He later re-orchestrated the piece in 1887. In Autumn contains three sections with a unifying theme. Part of
this concert overture comes from a song Grieg wrote in 1865 titled The Autumn Storm. He also pulls from
folk elements including a dance from his native land, Norway. Do you find that
Grieg’s piece musically reflects the way you picture autumn? If not, do you
have another piece you prefer?
Thanksgiving is
my favorite holiday. Not only does it occur in autumn, but there are plenty of
autumnal characteristics that surround it. Joseph Curiale wrote his Prairie Hymn as a prayer of
thanksgiving, perfect for this time of year. The piece was inspired by Ted
Kooser’s poem “So this is Nebraska.” Curiale dedicated his piece to Kooser upon
its completion in 1995.
What else reminds
you of autumn? Perhaps Halloween? Join me next time for my “Horrifying Music of
Halloween” playlist in honor of the upcoming spooky holiday!
