Miriam Hyde: Tap Tune (1952)

Abstract

Miriam Hyde (b. 1913) has composed a great number of short pieces for the piano, many of them for her own use as a concert pianist, and this piece (marked allegretto giocoso) is obviously one of them. Her demands of the performer are of the late-romantic variety and mirrors her own approach to the keyboard. The composer supplied the following note: This is intended as a musical joke - an encore piece. The first eight melody notes were suggested by the tap dripping into a bath. After the second pause, the tap is turned on again and the water-level rises. Then the original tune makes a final appearance, a little enfeebled, missing a beat here and there.