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“Teeta,” from Piano Potpourri, by Zenobia Powell Perry

“Teeta” is the 12th piece in the set Piano Potpourri. The title “Teeta” is a name, so this piece is likely to be written for someone specific; we have not found out who Teeta was. It is a 3-page piece that lasts under three minutes. There are three different sections in this piece. The first section starts with a beautiful four-voice chorale. The composer explores a wide dynamic range and interesting harmonic progressions. It is very expressive and lyrical. The transition from section to section is always a surprise in this piece. The second section comes very unexpectedly with a completely different character. The pianist can play around with the articulations, since they are not specified in the score. The harmonic progression in the middle section is also very unexpected; it sounds as if it modulates every few measures and it never lands on a cadence. With a ritardando in the last measure of the second section, it goes straight into the last section, where the theme comes back. The melody sounds the same as the first section but with decorations in the left hand. With a perfect cadence at the end, it sounds like the emotions come to a conclusion at the end.

Piano Potpourri is a set of piano pieces composed between 1960 and 1990. There are 15 pieces in the set. The levels of the pieces vary from elementary to late advanced. The set has a thick structure and deep emotion overall. 

Zenobia Powell Perry (1908-2004) was an African American composer, professor and civil rights activist. She taught in some 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. 

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Powell Perry

“Teeta,” performed by Boheng Wang

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