Song Without Words “Barcarolle” Live

The Songs without Words Op 30 are meant to paint a tone picture based on their subtitles. Composition of the Songs without Words was based on the history of classical song writing of Schubert and Mendelssohn with the latter serving as a role model.

The tonal image of the “Barcarolle” reflects that of Mendelssohn’s gondolier songs. The piece is written in the traditional 6/8 rhythm of a barcarolle and reflects two “gondoliers” singing with each other while poling their gondolas on the canals. The primary melody of the piece while written in the key of E♭ starts in the dominant key of B♭ Major subsequently modulating to the home key of E♭ Major.

A singing single voice at the start in B♭ Major is then joined by a harmonizing voice with the modulation to E♭ Major. The middle section marked Piú mosso e agitato with the melody in C minor reflects a stormy “Laguna Veneta” outside of the Venetian canals. After this interval the song returns to the relative quietude of the canals at sunset with the two voices echoing each other to end of the song in the key of E♭ Major.

The work was composed from 04 June 2015 through 18 September 2015.

The work was premiered in a live performance at a House Concert on April 23, 2017 by Ken Hardin at the piano.