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Example 2.17: Black Birds, Red Hills, Fourth mvt., mm. 36-44
In general the range of the viola line has stayed in the lower to mid regions of the
soprano vocal range throughout the piece, but the ending of this movement is an
exception. The soaring melodic lines of the viola reach higher and higher, ending on its
highest note in the piece, B-flat5, suggesting the increasing altitude of the bird.
Following the release of this pitch there are two additional solo measures of the piano
OStinato that end abruptly as the movement concludes. An attacca marking leads into the
final movement.
Fifth Movement: Looking...
The last movement, which is only seven measures long, is dissimilar to the previous
movements both in size and scope. In the original version, the pause in the second
measure contained the following O’Keeffe quotation from the Viking collection: “I find I