1981

eight pieces for piano

By:

• Anthony Ritchie

Duration:

10' 00"

Contents:

1. Spring Dance (1'); 2. Yearning (2'10"); 3. Gigue (1'15"); 4. Ritual (1'25"); 5. Elegy (Sorrow) (2'20"); 6. Waltz (1'); 7. Lover's Dance (50"); 8. Morning Air (Calm) (1'25")

Samples

	Score (65k)	Page 28 (Four Poems of Spring, bars 20-29)	© Promethean Editions
	Score (117k)	Page 1 (Ritual, bars 1-26)	© Promethean Editions

Availability

• This work has 4 scores and 4 recordings

Programme Note

The Poems of Spring consist of eight short pieces altogether, written in 1981 when the composer was a third year student at the University of Canterbury. He gave the first performance of the work at the University late in that year. These pieces attempt to contrast the beauty of a Christchurch spring with the pain of a broken relationship. All this is played out against the backdrop of the 1981 Springbok ruby tour which cause so much turmoil in New Zealand at that time.

Difficulty:

Intermediate

Difficulty Note:

For Grade 8 and upward

Influences:

• Relationships
• Seasons

Dedication:

'Morning Air (Calm)' dedicated to A.E.B.

Performance History

	09 Jun 2002	Performed by Emma Sayers at the Conservatorium of Music, Massey University, Wellington Four pieces from Poems of Spring: Spring Dance; Gigue; Sorrow; Waltz
		Emma Sayers
	09 Jun 2002	Performed by Emma Sayers at the Conservatoruim of Music, Massey university, Wellington
		Emma Sayers
	22 Mar 2007	Performed by Anthony Ritchie at the Mozart Fellows Reunion Concert at the Marima Hall, University of Otago, Dunedin, in 2007 Spring Dance, Elegy, Ritual