Rhapsody in C Minor

A rhapsody, while similar to an impromptu or fantasy given its free-form improvisational nature, differs by its series of contrasting moods or musical emotional threads providing color and texture. Rhapsodies first became prominent during the Romantic era and succeeding musical evolutionary eras.

The current Rhapsody begins with a 2-bar motif employing a double neighbor contrapuntal notation as noted below:

This motif is repeated over 6 bars concluding in a 2 bar German sixth cadence.

A sequential canonic invention based on sixteenth notes follows the opening motif before returning to a recapitulation of the primary melody. The melody is then expanded in the modulated key of F minor with melody and contrapuntal motion over an agitated sixteenth note arpeggiated chordal harmony in the bass. This agitated section resolves into a separate E♭ Major secondary melody before finally returning to C minor with a recapitulation of the primary rhapsodic melody.

The canonic invention, now in a slower eighth note version, recurs before the piece concludes with a "dying" French sixth progression and a V7(sus4) chord resolving into a concluding C minor tonic chord.

The Rhapsody in C minor was composed from 06 July 2018 through 11 July 2019 based on an original sketch of 2017.