Description: | Arthur Homer Bird (23 July 1856 – 22 December 1923) was an American composer, for many years resident in Germany. Born in Cambridge, Massachusetts, he studied in Europe and spent a year at Weimar with Franz Liszt. He composed a symphony, 3 orchestral suites; some works for wind instruments alone; some music for the ballet, and chamber music. He also composed for the harmonium.
Bird died in Berlin in 1923.
This fine piece is taken from the harmonium collection published by Breitkopf & Hartel in 1897. "Scherzo" is the 8th work in the group.
Being originally for harmonium, the player must decide "how to play" these pieces on the organ, meaning, which notes to play or to leave out, if you have to "adjust octaves," etc.
"Scherzo" is quite an exciting piece, especially if you bring out the accents and dynamics. The first and last sections rush along, while there is a contrasting middle section. A bridge leads back to the opening material, but there is a different development this time. Rather than a big and loud ending, the closing passage scampers up the scale in 3rds, while the music disappears into a sunny sky - sort of like birds (no pun intended on the composer's name) fly away on a summer afternoon.
I'm pleased to be collaborating with my good friend, Erzahler on completing the project of recording and uploaded these 10 unique and interesting works.
THANK YOU, Andrew! :-)
The score is attached below, as well as two photos of Arthur Bird. |