Keith Humble: Three Little Pieces (early 50s) - 2. Waltz

Abstract

Keith Humble (1927-1995) composed these aphoristic pieces and they are roughly contemporary with the Banks and Meale works featured here. They stem from the early '50s and are the beginning of Humble's lifelong fascination with the Second Viennese School. The pieces possible represent the first Australian excursion into serialism and could therefore be doubly important. The lyrical Intermezzo suggests Brahms - and via Brahms to Schoenberg - and is the most substantial of the three pieces. The so-called Waltz is a quirky little piece, which occasionally only lapses into a three-beat feel. Here Humble has moved away from Schoenberg and closer to Webern. Both the second and third pieces have a strong feel of pulse. The third piece is almost pure Webern in the sense that it is very economical and muscular, with measured silences. It is already close to the world of Humble's First Piano Sonata. Humble proved to become a driving force in Australia's tertiary educational system, as well as a constantly active composer, pianist and conductor. He formed and led Australia's first ensemble exclusively devoted to contemporary music, known as ACME (Australian Contemporary Music Ensemble).