Obscure Music Monday: Mason's A Pastoral Novelette
William Mason (Jan. 24, 1829 - July 14, 1908) was a composer and pianist, born in Boston, Massachusetts. He grew up in a musical family; his father Lowell Mason was an important figure in church music, and his brother Henry Mason was a co-founder of the piano manufacturers Mason and Hamlin.
Mason grew up playing the piano, but didn't start serious studies until 1845, with Henry Schmidt at the Boston Academy of Music. Just four years later he set for Europe, and ended up studying with Ignaz Moscheles, and Franz Liszt. He returned to the States in 1854, intent on building his career as a concert pianist. After a year however, he wasn't satisfied, and relocated to New York City, where he focused more on composing.
A Pastoral Novelette was written around 1895, and begins with the most wholesome, charming melody, and an obvious pastoral feel to it. Mason goes through some interesting tonalities in the work, and there's a wonderful tumultuous section about a minute and a half in to it that resolves after a minute or so. This is a most pleasant piece, and quite charming.
We found a recording of this work for you to enjoy!
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