Composition Commons^™

Variations On A Russian Folk Song, Brian R. Denu

Student Publications

This piece for solo piano demonstrates a wide range of techniques utilized in twentieth century composition. The theme is taken from the Finale of Igor Stravinsky's ballet "The Firebird", which itself is based on a Russian folk song. Each subsequent variation focuses on one or more compositional technique.

I. Theme

II. March (chords by thirds, extended triads)

III. Molto grave e expressivo (chromaticism)

IV. L'istesso tempo (ten-tone row)

V. Fast and light (twelve-tone row, secundal harmony)

VI. Much less (minimalism, extended techniques)

VII. Hazy (quartal harmony, modal melody)

VIII. Finale (spectralism)

The order of the variations partly reflects a chronological …

Fugue In A Minor, Ryan A. Stones

Student Publications

"Fugue in A Minor" was composed during the Fall 2011 section of "Counterpoint and Composition" offered at the Sunderman Conservatory of Music at Gettysburg College. The piece is composed in the style of J. S. Bach's fugues in his famous collection of solo keyboard music called The Well-Tempered Clavier. "Fugue in A Minor" is a four part fugue, featuring a traditional exposition, followed by a development section including sequences and fugue subject entries, and concluding with a recapitulation of the initial fugue material and a coda.