Java Suite

The Java Suite (originally published as Phonoramas. Tonal journeys for the pianoforte) is a suite for solo piano by Leopold Godowsky, composed between 1924 and 1925. It consists of twelve movements and is influenced by gamelan music.

Java Suite
Suite by Leopold Godowsky
Composed1924 (1924)–25
Published1925 (1925)
Movementstwelve
Scoringpiano

Historical background

Godowsky remarked in the work's preface:

"Having travelled extensively in many lands, some near and familiar, others remote and strange, it occurred to me that a musical portrayal of some of the interesting things I had been privileged to see, a tonal description of the impressions and emotions they had awakened, would interest those who are attracted by adventure and picturesqueness and inspired by their poetic reactions.

Who is not at heart a globe-trotter? Are we not all fascinated by distant countries and strange people? And so the thought gradually matured in me to recreate my roaming experiences. This cycle of musical travelogues-tonal journeys-which i have name collectively "Phonoramas", begins with a series of twelve descriptive scenes in java."[1]

Structure

The suite consists of twelve movements, divided into four parts.[2] Godowsky composed the work under the influence of gamelan music after a visit to Java.[3] A typical performance of the work lasts approximately 50 minutes.

Part One
1. Gamelan
2. Wayang-Purwa, Puppet Shadow Plays
3. Hari Besaar, The Great Day

Part Two
4. Chattering Monkeys at the Sacred Lake of Wendit
5. Boro Budur in Moonlight
6. The Bromo Volcano and the Sand Sea at Daybreak

Part Three
7. Three Dances
8. The Gardens of Buitenzorg
9. In the Streets of Old Batavia

Part Four
10. In the Kraton
11. The Ruined Water Castle at Djokja
12. A Court Pageant in Solo

References
  1. "Godowsky: Java Suite" (PDF). imslp.eu. Retrieved 2019-01-15.
  2. "Java Suite (Godowsky, Leopold)". IMSLP. Retrieved November 15, 2018.
  3. Predota, Georg (August 8, 2018). "Godowsky: Java Suite". Retrieved November 15, 2018.
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