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Home > Barber, Samuel > Three Sketches > To My Steinway

Barber, Samuel : Three Sketches  To My Steinway

Work Overview

Music ID : 22465
Instrumentation:Piano Solo 
Genre:pieces
Total Playing Time:1 min 00 sec
Copyright:Under Copyright Protection

Commentary (1)

Author : Sugiura, Nanako

Last Updated: June 18, 2025
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Note: This article is automatically translated from the original Japanese text. The author of the original work did not supervise this translation.

Composed in June 1923, this is an early piano miniature believed to have been written by Barber when he was 11 years old. The title "Steinway" refers to the Steinway & Sons company, known for its high-quality pianos, suggesting Barber's special affection for this instrument.

Within the leisurely meter of Adagio and 3/4 time, the music progresses quietly yet with a definite energy. Including this piece, all "Three Sketches" are written in 3/4 time, and while each possesses a distinct character, the common rhythmic pulse unifies the whole. The ascending phrases appearing in measures 1, 5, 9, 11, and 13 convey a sense of hidden power as the notes rise, sounding as if that energy is released in the following measure.

The released harmonies possess a variety of expressions. Some possess a softness that seems to melt into the air, others are accompanied by tension and tautness, some are imbued with emotions that well up from deep within, or have a transparency that shines high in the sky. It is important to carefully perceive each resonance and express the emotions embedded within the notes. Throughout the piece, the aim should be a performance that quietly yet surely conveys a love for the piano as an instrument itself.

Writer: Sugiura, Nanako
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