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"Blaize," from Piano Potpourri, by Zenobia Powell Perry

Zenobia Powell Perry

Blaize is a short, two-minute piece written by Zenobia Powell Perry in 1985.  A rhythmic and muscular piece, it sounds very chromatic, and almost never lands on a cadence until the very last measure. It is built mostly on parallel triads in the right hand. There are some interesting transpositions from measure to measure to increase the momentum. Perry is very clear about the tempo (quarter note = 112) and articulation (non legato). It begins with chords in both hands in mezzo-forte. It challenges pianists to phrase the line while playing non legato and play evenly in tempo while alternating chords in left and right hands. The piece should be played with a lot of energy. There are not a lot of dynamic changes throughout the piece until the big crescendo at the very end, but there are some surprising sforzato.

 

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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