Richard Meale: Four Bagatelles (early 50s) - 4. Cantabile

Abstract

Richard Meale's Four Bagatelles began life as two bagatelles, which were then expanded by Meale into four. They date from the same period as Meale's Sonatina Patetica, although the first two bagatelles preceded Sonatina. Although student works, the bagatelles are highly polished miniatures with their own harmonic world. Each of them is based on a simple idea that is then thoroughly explored. While the harmonies are tonal, Meale is beginning to explore shifts into unrelated triads. The second bagatelle plays with bar durations involving five and seven. The third is canonic, built on a four note descending figure and ending with four voices. The last bagatelle is most substantial of the set, and perhaps the most melodic.