Summer is a great time to travel, and Tomoko has enjoyed
traveling since she was a young woman. Now with the pandemic, it is harder to
travel, but Tomoko can enjoy summer travel through the piano pieces she enjoys
performing. Many composers of those pieces were inspired by their own travels
and sense of place. Here is a sampling to explore.
Probably one of the first thematic piano pieces that might
come to mind is George Gershwin’s “Summertime,” which was written for his opera
Porgy and Bess. Its tone and pacing reflect a lazy, jazzy afternoon in
the South.
Benjamin Britten’s four-part suite of piano pieces, “Ravel’s
“Mirrors” (Op. 5), reflects his boyhood pre-war memories of the British seaside
where he lived. The lively melody captures summer holiday life with a celebratory
movement, stormy sailing, and nighttime peacefulness.
Claude Debussy’s prelude “Voiles (Veils or Sails)” reminds one of summer breezes, either on land or sea. Its tonality ranges from veiled mystery to bright open sails.
Franz Liszt’s three-suite
set “Années de Pelerinage (Pilgrimage Years)” was inspired by his visits to the
Swiss Alps. The piece paints a Romantic picture of flora and fauna as well as still
and running water.
Ernest Moeran’s pastoral “Summer Valley” refers to British and
Irish landscapes. While he himself lived a creative and lively existence at that
time, this composition reflects a more peaceful mood.
Maurice Ravel’s “Mirrors” evokes the impressionistic sound
of the ocean, especially movement #3 “A boat on the Ocean.” It is considered
one of his three water-themed masterpieces.
Francis Poulenc’s three-movement suite “Napoli” was written during his visit to Italy. The piece certainly plays an homage to Italian barcarolle and caprice. The music’s color mirrors summer streets and shores of Naples.
Whatever the summer mood, there's likely to be a summer piano piece to celebrate summer, no matter where one is.
