Gwyneth Walker

April, Rag, and Fantasy

for Piano (1977)

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Listen to a RealAudio (G2) stream of the first and second movements ("April" and "Rag") of this work performed by Leander Bien, piano.

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Download a PDF file of the score of this composition. This file of excerpted sample pages is for perusal only and is not printable.


"April" (written in April) has the lyrical and fresh qualities of a Spring morning. "Rag" is a spoof of a rag, combining stylistic traits of Joplin, Chopin, and others. At times, the listener may feel that there are just a few too many, or too few, beats per measure. This metrical irregularity contributes to the humorous effect. "Fantasy" has a delicate character established by the sparseness of the initial unaccompanied melody. The interior section develops in rhythmic and harmonic complexity, yet resolves into a simple final cadence.

Notes by the composer