Hudson Gimenez - Romance Nº 1

  My review:       Romance Nº 1   is a piece in three sections, with an accompanied melody texture and a tranquil tempo, creating an atmosphere of calm and reflection. The thematic unity and the constant accompaniment of arpeggios give the piece a sense of cohesion, with a second development section and a third recapitulation section. In fact, it is constructed from a harmonic progression (accompaniment) upon which small variations on the main theme melody are layered.       Gimenez's social links:           Facebook      YouTube      SoundCloud     Enjoy  "Romance Nº 1" ,  performed by Carlos Marín Trigo:

Bethany Wakim - (John Henry Hopkins Jr.) - We Three Kings

     My review:

    We Three Kings (also known as We Three Kings of Orient Are or The Quest of the Magi) is a Christmas carol composed by John Henry Hopkins Jr. in 1857 and tells of the moment when the three wise men come to worship the newborn child in Bethlehem.

    Although it is no longer sung like this today, Hopkins Jr. composed it for a male choir, in such a way that each verse is sung by a soloist (there are three in total, representing the three kings) and the refrain is sung in chorus.

    Many people consider the melody of this carol sad and nostalgic, however, in this piano arrangement by Bethany Wakim, the composer shows us the opposite, with a melody of a rhythmic and happy nature.

    It begins with a short introduction where the melody of the first verse appears with a delicate character.

    At this moment, Wakim creates a confusing atmosphere for us, since in the right hand the first five notes of the D minor scale are being played, but the left hand is suggesting a cadence in the Locrian B mode, although the sudden appearance of a B flat, clarifies that we are in D minor, the key with which the next section begins, introduced by some rhythmic bars of a jovial nature, in which the melody of the first verse of the carol can be heard.

    Combining 3/4 and 6/8 time signatures and D natural minor and D Dorian scales (with little nods to a Locrian B), she modulates to F major to present the refrain melody.

    A new modulating section, composed of a harmonic progression and the melody of the verse, takes us to the climax, where the refrain is presented in E flat major, subsequently cadencing to E flat minor, where it will again present the rhythmic section with the that began, combined with the melody of the verse.

    The last chord, of A flat major, fourth degree of E flat, with the note E flat (tonic) tripled, leaves us with a curious sensation, as if the music were floating in the air.

    Composer's social links:

    Spotify.

    SoundCloud.

    Buy her sheet music.

    Youtube.

    Facebook.


    Let's listen to We Three Kingsby Bethany Wakim, performed by Carlos Marín Trigo:




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