The composer for July is …David L. McIntyre!
Background
I was first introduced to David McIntyre‘s piano music in the 2015 Piano Syllabus from the Royal Conservatory of Music. Although I am familiar with his piano compositions, he also writes extensively for orchestra, chamber ensembles, strings, voice, brass, and woodwinds (flute, bassoon, oboe, clarinet). Mr. McIntyre was born in 1950 in Edmonton, AB, and currently resides in Regina, SK. He has taught piano and composition at Canadian Bible College, University of Regina and University of Saskatchewan.
I met Mr. McIntyre in-person at the CFMTA (Canadian Federation of Music Teachers’ Associations) National Conference in Winnipeg, MB in July 2019. At the Gala Concert, pianist Dr. Christine Vaderkooy performed pieces he had written for her daughter and her son.
Popular Pieces
Caveat: these are piano solo pieces that I have found to be popular in my own studio and teaching only!
Level 2: The Waltz That Floated Away
Listen to how the piece moves higher, slower, and quieter, like it is floating away:
Level 7: Tickled Pink
This is one of my personal favourites. It begins with a robust rhythm and energetic staccatos:
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On the third and final page, his use of repetition across the keyboard generates excitement and a climax to the end (I’ve marked the repetitions in coloured brackets):
ARCT Performance:
“Butterflies and Bobcats” and “A Wild Innocence” were pieces imposed for the Egré Competition (2004) and Montreal International Music Competition (2011) respectively.
I have heard both advanced pieces performed at festivals and competitions in Ontario.
Butterflies and Bobcats: Listen to how delicately this piece begins (butterflies) and the vivacious bobcats at 0.23.
A Wild Innocence: begins jauntily. Listen for a contrast in how he uses the low and high ranges of the piano. Some sections are more intense (chordal texture, driving rhythm, low range of the piano), others are light (single staccato notes, higher pitch) and some parts are melodic and legato. Listen for the jaunty theme toward the end of the piece.
What did you enjoy about these advanced pieces? Comment below.
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