Walter Piston (1894-1976)

[Pista Gyerek]

Walter Piston was an American composer and music theorist whose output represented a very accessible strain of American modernism.

Here's the third movement of his Seventh symphony. which should give you a taste of the energy, exuberance, and lyricism of his work.

Regards,

Pista Gyerek

 

[Ouled Nails]

Whatever happened to your Roger Sessions thread?
I'm not much into replies at Magle's if only because I've introduced a number of threads that received not a single reply before. But it doesn't mean they're not read.

Concerning Sessions, if you don't mind, he was very cerebral. Some of his works appeal to me when they strike me as having coherence. I'm thinking of this violin concerto and his symphonies four and five. Other works, however, are just plain too cerebral and, as much as I listen, it's BING-BANG-BOUM for the sake of it. I'm thinking of his third symphony as an example.
cheers

 

[Ouled Nails]

I have a number of Piston's works and they're all quite masterful. His Incredible Flutist remains my favorite, however, because of its haunting melody. Generally, Piston was a traditionalist amongst modernists and I suspect that N. Boulanger must have told him "It's all right!!"

 

[some guy]

Concerning Sessions, ... he was very cerebral. Some of his works appeal to me when they strike me as having coherence. I'm thinking of this violin concerto and his symphonies four and five. Other works, however, are just plain too cerebral and, as much as I listen, it's BING-BANG-BOUM for the sake of it. I'm thinking of his third symphony as an example.

I think that must be the first time I have ever seen something like "BING-BANG-BOOM" used to illustrate music that's "cerebral"! But you've called my attention to the fact that I do not have Sessions symphony no. 3 (or 2 or 1). I should remedy that. (Done.)

I find Sessions the easiest of all the American symphonists of mid-century to listen to over and over again. Piston's works give up their secrets after only a listen or two. They're very pleasant, don't get me wrong, and I love them dearly (and I too enjoy the ballet Incredible Flutist the best--why is there only one recording of that?), but I have to let a lot of time elapse between listenings.

Session I can listen to more frequently.

 

[Ouled Nails]

Hello some guy,
I do have symph. 1 and 3, but not 2. What I meant by Bing-bam-boum is the lack of an organizing principle, theme, etc., to my ears. OTOH, I agree with you that Sessions offers a more in-depth aural experience than Piston. Contrary to you, however, I tend to listen to the latter more often than to the former.
cheers

 

[rojo]

I'm not much into replies at Magle's if only because I've introduced a number of threads that received not a single reply before. But it doesn't mean they're not read.

This may be off topic, but ON, I checked on this; out of 27 threads you have started here at MIMF, only 2 have had no replies. That's surely much better than my thread reply total. :grin:

 

[Ouled Nails]

I am now convinced that I over-reacted, rojo. Thank you for the most diplomatic reminder.

 

[Ouled Nails]

This thread led me to listen to other Piston works, such as his Three New England Sketches. The "Mountain" movement is very powerful (perhaps a bit exagerated unless you only think of Mount Katahdin). Piston did well with "program" music and his symphonies offer more thematic variations than first meet the ... ear.

 

[matsoljare]

But did he ever write for piston cornet?

 

[rovikered]

Walter Piston was an American composer and music theorist whose output represented a very accessible strain of American modernism.

Here's the third movement of his Seventh symphony. which should give you a taste of the energy, exuberance, and lyricism of his work.

Regards,

Pista Gyerek

I've just 'picked up' on this. Though I've known of Walter Piston for many years I've not listened to any of his music, so I clicked on your link. Thanks; quite accessible and not unpleasant. I must explore his music more.
Didn't Walter Piston write a treatise on musical composition ?

 

[rovikered]

I think I've found the answer to my own question in discovering that Piston wrote books on 'Harmony'/'Harmonic Analysis'/ and 'Counterpoint'.