The Rhythm Variations
David Morneau
About this work:
The theme for this set is the chord progression from George Gershwin’s I Got Rhythm (called simply rhythm changes among jazz musicians). Variations on harmonic rather than melodic themes are nothing new; Bach’s Goldberg Variations—and indeed every improvised jazz solo—are just that. My desire was to use rhythm changes to focus on differences in mood and in the established canon of piano literature. The end result is a set twelve short compositions that are related only through a common harmonic. In some cases, Gershwin’s harmonies are readily apparent and at other times they are relegated to a structural role, away from the surface of the music, where they guide the composition at a conceptual level.
Version: 1
Year composed: 2004
Duration: 00:45:00
Ensemble type: Keyboard:Piano
Instrumentation: 1 Piano