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Round and Round, from Piano Potpourri. Zenobia Powell Perry

Round and Round is a short, 2 minute piece composed in 1990 as part of Zenobia Powell Perry's Piano Potpourri. The piece is written in 6/8, which helps teach students how to internalize and practice in different meters. The motion of the piece emphasizes beats 1 and 3 for the majority of the piece, making it a good fit for a pianist who needs practice in 6/8. There are no dynamic markings in the piece, so the pianist must be creative in coming up with their own to create contrast. The texture of the piece is lean, as it is written mostly in two-voice counterpoint, mostly in d natural minor. The modal color permeating the piece gives it a certain folk flavor, and makes it an attractive option for a mid-intermediate performer who is comfortable reading a wide range of notes.

Homage is published in the anthology Black Women Composers: A Century of Piano Music (1893-1990) edited by Helen Walker Hill and published by Hildegard Publishing.
 
Zenobia Powell Perry (1908-2004) was an African American composer, professor and civil rights activist. She taught in 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.
 

Sources

 
Zenobia Powell Perry

Performed by Elizabeth Smith.

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