Grasshoppers

Grasshoppers was written in 1956 during Mamlok’s studies at the Manhattan School. She balances a variety of moods, textures and tempi in six brief movemenm of a divertimento-like character that are thematically unified by the use of melodic fourths and scurrying chromatic figures. The second movement, “Night Serenade,” is a poignant siciliano, the fourth movement a bitonal “Minuet,” while the fifth movement, “In the Army,” is a humorous march. The third movement, “In the Rain,” is the most virtuosic of the set. Grasshoppers concludes with “Hurrying Home,” a rapid, often bitonal waltz. Marnlok orchestrared Grasshoppers in 1957. lts 1958 orchestral premiere, by Carl Bamberger and the Süddeutsches Rundfunkorchester, was one of the first important performances of her music.
© Barry Wiener / Bridge Records