Three Autumn Sketches after a Watercolor by Maria Willscher (2017)

Carson posted his own version of this new work a few days back as Fall officially arrived; here's another version for contrast in sounds from French romantic to German romantic.

1. Herbststimmung (Autumn Mood)
2. Herbstfarben (Autumn Colors)
3. Sonnenuntergang (Sunset)

"Three Autumn Sketches after a Watercolor by Maria Willscher" (2017) are dedicated to Hans-Peter Bähr. The music is inspired by a watercolor painting by Maria (Neumann) Willscher (1922–1998) entitled “Herbststimmung.” The three movements explore moods and colors of autumn as reflected in the painting.

In the first movement, Herbststimmung (Autumn Mood) a musical line falls under gentle undulation. A central section is a wistful chorale.

The second movement, Herbstfarben (Autumn Colors), reflects on the subtle variety and gradations of autumn colors with constantly shifting harmonic colors.

The final movement, Sonnenuntergang (Sunset), is inspired by the serenely beautiful colors of an autumn sunset, imagining the sun’s departing rays illuminating the autumn landscape.