A Pedagogical Analysis and Performance of Selected Compositions for Piano by Vincent Persichetti

Abstract

Vincent Persichetti composed in a wide range of contemporary musical idioms. He incorporated twentieth-century harmonies into traditional forms and into classical piano writing. This paper seeks to emphasize the advantages of his music for piano pedagogy. Chapter Two concentrates on the composer’s life, compositional style, contribution and rewards, and it includes a short list of piano compositions. Chapter Three examines and analyzes four selected pieces by Persichetti: Little Piano Book, Piano Sonata No. 9, Poems for Piano No. 2 “Soft is the Collied Night,” and Four Arabesques, Op. 141, No. 1 Affabile. The Poem, the Arabesque, and the miniatures in Little Piano Book are smaller pieces, intended for amateur and intermediate pianists. The Ninth Sonata is a more substantial composition for advanced pianists. These pieces provide a broad image of Persichetti’s piano compositions. This study of selected works by Persichetti shows that his music is excellent pedagogical material for piano students as well as outstanding music to be performed in the concert hall.