About this work: (This 2011 version has been superseded by the 2011 version, 2012 update. Please go to the updated version, which is accompanied by additional information.)
“Venetian Cadence” is an improved version of the 1983 “Venetian Berceuse” included in my Compositions.
This is the ninth in a set of ten piano pieces first posted in the last quarter of 2008 and the first quarter of 2009. This 2011 version has numerous small improvements to the score, the playback, and a few in the music itself. More and better fingering numbers and pedal markings.
The piece is gripping, melodically strong and varied. It evokes a strong emotion in the listeners if it is played well and in accordance with the instructions and recommendation printed on the score. The coda, especially, is powerful.
The recording here is that of the computer playback of the score, thus the sound quality is not as good as that of a real piano and the play is rather mechanical. An unfixable defect in this playback is that one note is silent in each of measures 21, 23, 51 and 53. All of the pieces in the set sound significantly better when played well on an acoustic piano – the more complex the piece, the more so.
The indicated duration (5 minutes, 2 seconds) is that of the computer playback.
The titles of the pieces are:
1. Mazurka March
2. Ballad
3. First Love, in May
4. Hispanic Rhapsody (Excerpt)
5. Hymn of Consolation
6. Nocturne
7. Spanish Sonatina
8. Variations on a Game
9. Venetian Cadence
10. Rondo Refrain (designed for improvisation between the “refrain” sections)
If the pieces are all played on one occasion, I recommend that they be played in the given order.
To help the pianist interpret the pieces, performance recommendations and options are placed in boxes on each of the scores.