Song Without Words “Las Golondrinas”

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.

“Las Golondrinas” is Spanish for Swallows. This Song without Words is written in the key of F minor with a staccato 4/8 rhythm in the left hand against the main melody. The melody is embellished with recurrent grace notes reflecting the calls of the “swallows” back and forth as they soar in the air. The middle section with a faster rhythm is in D♭ Major with a series of 16th notes reflecting soaring and diving of the swallows in flight again with grace note embellishments as well as trills reflecting bird calls. The main melody recurs with modulation back to the F minor key through a chromatic scale.

The work was composed from 24 May 2015 through 23 September 2015.