Henry Cowell's 1938 work Rhythmicana is a suite of piano pieces centered on polyrhythms and dissonant counterpoint. It is known for its unusual time signatures, with the first two movements being in 1
1 time, and the third movement having the polymeter of 3
4 in the right hand and 5
4 in the left.
| Rhythmicana | |
|---|---|
| by Henry Cowell | |
 Cowell at the piano, c. 1920s | |
| Catalogue | HC 557 |
| Composed | 1938 |
| Performed | February 11, 1940 |
| Movements | 3 |
| Scoring | Piano |
Background edit
Cowell had already used the title for his rhythmicon concerto seven years earlier.[1] The complexity results from Cowell's lifelong preoccupation with rhythmic exploration. The piece is dedicated to J. M. Beyer.[2][3]
References edit
- ^ Madeleine Goss, Modern music-makers; contemporary American composers. Dutton, 1952, p.272.
- ^ Barelos, Stacey. "Henry Cowell--Piano Music--Rhythmicana [1938]". www.cowellpiano.com.
- ^ Barelos, Stacey. "Henry Cowell--Piano Music--Rhythmicana [Endnote 1]". www.cowellpiano.com.
External links edit
- Rhythmicana, HC 213: Scores at the International Music Score Library Project
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