Bernard Barnes 1892 -1947 was born in Worcester and moved to the USA is his youth settling in Seattle where he worked as a cinema organist becoming an American citizen in 1922. He is associated with a mode of music making familiarly referred to as “photoplay” that is music intended to be played for silent movies. Dainty Miss described as a Novelette dates from 1924. Whist a piano novelty solo played in a swing style there are recordings available where the music is arranged for Palm Court Orchestra. The music needs to be played with a lightness in the hands and the melodic ideas need to be articulated clearly. It is quite a charming character piece that does not need to be played too quickly. The triplet pattern features continually despite the ambiguity of the notation. Crossing of hands (left over right hand feature in the second section of music which has the repeat. After the 16 bar trio section there is a two bar link leading to a reprise of the first section with a slightly different final cadence. The voice leading in bar 44 warrants some careful attention and possibly quite a bit of disagreement amongst piano players? A tempo of between 55-60 half note or minim beats to the minute is suggested. While use of the sustaining pedal is recommended its use is not indicated in the music score. The realisation plays back at 60 half note or minim beats to the minute.
