Charles Tomlinson Griffes

At about the time he composed this piano suite in 1912, Griffes had just moved beyond the Germanic style in which he had been trained, adopting a colorful language similar in effect to mood to French Impressionism. The piano music he wrote at this time is among the finest of American music for keyboard. The Fantasy-Pieces are in three movements: Barcarolle, Notturno, and Scherzo. The last of these pieces was orchestrated by Griffes seven years later under the title "Bacchanale." As such, it is one of the most exciting short orchestral works of its type. In either form, fine music.