Rhapsody by Zenobia Powell Perry is an expansive piece with six distinct sections of varying characters, tempos, and lengths. Sometimes the sections build off of each other, and other times they have sudden, abrupt transitions. The first three sections have a heavy focus on the melody, which soars above an increasingly difficult harmonic left hand part. There can also be significant flexibility in the timing of these sections, allowing one to better shape the contours of the melodic line. The fourth section is choppy, rhythmic, and dissonant. It stands out stylistically as the most divergent section and is difficult make sense of. The fifth section is a return to the original mood, while carrying over some of the drama of the fourth section. The sixth, final section is regal and mostly consonant. It is the only section Powell Perry added dynamics to, giving it climactic power.
The most difficult part of Rhapsody is the constant ascending and descending left hand in the second and third sections. Preventing them from feeling out of control, especially when it becomes frenzied triplets, is important in maintaining the phrase structure. The fast fourth section is not easy to make consistent either.
Overall, Rhapsody is a beautiful piece that offers a sampling of Powell Perry’s compositional style and helps one better understand how to design phrases that make sense (she has no phrase markings).
Zenobia Powell Perry (1908-2004) was an African American composer, professor and civil rights activist. She taught in historically black colleges and universities. Her musical style is described as “music with clear, classic melodies.” She studied piano and violin in her childhood. Her most powerful musical experience was hearing Hazel Harrison (African-American pianist) in a concert.
Sources
- Zenobia Powell Perry
- Image source: Zenobia Powell Perry - Drizzle Lyrics