Palmgren, Selim : 3 Pianostycken "Regndroppor" Op.54-1
Work Overview
Genre:pieces
Total Playing Time:2 min 50 sec
Copyright:Public Domain
Commentary (1)
Author : Watanabe, Maiko
Last Updated: April 24, 2018
[Open]
Author : Watanabe, Maiko
B minor, 2/2 time, Lento, ma non troppo
Dedicated to the Danish composer, Louis Glass.
Palmgren was in Germany when World War I broke out, but as Finns were then under Russian rule, they were considered enemy nationals and forced to leave Germany. For the next three years, he continued to compose while performing in Sweden, Norway, and Denmark. He became acquainted with Louis Glass during his stay in Copenhagen in the winter of 1915-1916.
Palmgren returned to Finland in September 1916, and the piece was premiered by the composer himself on November 14 of the same year at a concert held in the Great Hall of the University of Helsinki.
The structure of the piece is A (measures 1-20) — linking section (measures 21-24) — A' (measures 25-49).
- The main theme begins in B minor (measures 1-10), modulates to A major (measures 11-18), and then to D major (measures 19-20).
- The linking section (measures 21-23) is in D major, returning to the tonic key in measure 24.
- A' (measures 25-32) is in B minor, concluding in the parallel major, B major (measures 33-49).
The accompaniment employs a high-register soprano ostinato, a technique frequently found in Palmgren's works from his thirties onwards. The composer's unique and refined harmonic sensibility is evident in the changes in coloristic effect brought about by the chord progressions. A sense of tranquility pervades the entire piece.