Timing is critical in music. Piano performance certainly
relies on it, as Tomoko well appreciates. Piano composers know how timing
impacts the musical message such as a dirge versus a festive piece – as well as
a performer’s interpretation. Time
itself as a thematic focus has inspired piano composers as the following examples
illustrate.
Haydn’s Symphony No. 101 is nicknamed “The Clock” because of
its ticking rhythm. Since its inception, the Andante second movement has been arranged for piano. Haydn
also wrote Music for a Musical Clock for a friend who wanted his clock
to play music.
Beethoven’s Pieces for a Mechanical Clock were only
discovered after his death. At least some of the pieces were score for piano.
The music itself evokes a mechanical clock.
Chopin’s Minute Waltz is well known. What is less
well known is that the piece lasts between one and two minutes; the term “minute”
actually means small.
Harrison Birtwistle’s piano piece Harrison’s Clocks
was inspired by an 18th century clock maker. Each movement mimics a
clock’s mechanisms.
Leroy Anderson’s composition “The Syncopated Clock” is another
concert favorite with its lighthearted treatment. Anderson was in the U.S. Army
when he was asked to guest conduct for the Boston Pops Orchestra. He wanted to
provide a new composition for the concert so quickly wrote the piece and
premiered it while he was on a three-day pass to do the conducting. This piece
is also available as a piano arrangement.
Playing these piano pieces is a fun – and maybe ironic – way
to spend time.
