Price: Sketches in Sepia
In stock and typically ships within 1 business day.
- Composer: Florence Price (1887-1953)
- Instrumentation: Piano
- Work: Sketches in Sepia
- Size: 8.7 x 11.9 inches
Description
Composed in September, 1947, Sketches in Sepia typifies Price's ability to compress intense and wide-ranging emotional and stylistic journeys into compact, tautly organized structures. Outwardly, the work might seem routine: it is just sixty-four bars long and organized in a clear ternary form, with the outer sections firmly rooted in A-flat Major and the central section beginning and ending in F Minor.
But its musical content and emotional and stylistic range are anything but routine. The A sections are relaxed and lyrical, while the central B section is rhythmically animated and stylistically agitated, beginning mf and eventually reaching an abrupt ff climax as a half-diminished seventh chord based on D natural (vii of the dominant of the home key of A-flat) gradually assumes predominance amid powerful left-hand octaves, increasingly syncopated rhythms punctuated with abrupt rests, and an expansion of the initially narrow range to a significantly broader one encompassing the entire gamut from F' to f''''.
These two contrasting sections presumably account for the titular plural (sketches). But despite the pronounced contrasts between the two sections, there are also deeper connections: the insistence on F as added sixth in the harmonic language of the A theme, beginning in m. 1, prepares that tone's importance as the defining pitch of the B section: F is always present from the outset, even before it becomes the central key. Similarly, the blue thirds that emerge in mm. 10 and 13 anticipate the jazz influences and harmonic language of the B section — which, because of these connections, never quite leaves the Sketches even after the A section returns.
— John Michael Cooper
Publishers use a lot of words to describe what they sell, and we know it can be confusing. We've tried to be as clear as possible to make sure you get exactly what you are looking for. Below are descriptions of the terms that we use to describe the various formats that music often comes in.
Choral Score
A score for vocalists that only contains the vocal lines. The instrumental parts are not there for reference. Generally, cheaper than a vocal score and requires multiple copies for purchase.
Facsimile
Reproductions of the original hand-written scores from the composer.
Full Score
For ensemble music, this indicates that the edition contains all parts on a single system (there are not separate parts for each player). In larger ensembles, this is for the conductor.
Hardcover
Hardbound. Generally either linen-covered or half-leather.
Orchestral Parts
Similar to a wind set, this is a collection of parts. In the case of strings, the numbers listed are the number of copies included, though generally these are available individually (often with minimum quantities required).
Paperback
When publishers offer multiple bindings (e.g. hardcover) or study scores, this is the "standard" version. If you're planning to play the music, this is probably what you want.
Performance / Playing Score
A score of the music containing all parts on one system, intended for players to share. There are not separate parts for each player.
Set of Parts
For ensemble music, this indicates that there are separate individual parts for each player.
Solo Part with Piano Reduction
For solo pieces with orchestra, this is a version that contains a piano reduction of the orchestra parts. For piano pieces, two copies are typically needed for performance.
Study Score
A small (think choral size) copy of the complete score meant for studying, and not playing. They make great add-ons when learning concertos and small chamber works.
Vocal Score
A score prepared for vocalists that includes the piano/organ part or a reduction of the instrumental parts.
Wind Set
For orchestral music, this is a collection of wind and percussion parts. The specific quantities of each instrument are notated.
With Audio
In addition to the printed music, the edition contains recordings of the pieces. This may be an included CD, or access to files on the internet.
With / Without Fingering (Markings)
Some publishers prepare two copies - a pure Urtext edition that includes no fingering (or bowing) suggestions and a lightly edited version that includes a minimal number of editorial markings.
Price: Sketches in Sepia
