Harlem Night Song from Harlem Songs
by Gwyneth W. Walker
SSAA - Sheet Music

SSAA choir and piano

SKU: EC.6814

Composed by Gwyneth W. Walker. African American Heritage. Octavo. E.C. Schirmer Publishing #6814. Published by E.C. Schirmer Publishing (EC.6814).

ISBN 600313468148. UPC: 600313468148. 8.5" x 11" inches. English. Text: Langston Hughes.

Harlem Night Song is infused with the language of blues: mixed major and minor tonalities, a gentle tempo, humming. The music is also nocturnal and atmospheric. The chorus sings "I love you," as if calling back and forth across the Harlem rooftops. A change of pace follows in the middle of the piece: "Down in the street, a band is playing..." Scat singing, percussive vocal effects and random patterns of "I love you" bring this work to a close.