Summer Rain by Carroll Gibbons, is an advanced level novelty piano solo, composed in 1937. The realisation plays back at 84 half note or minim beats in the swing triplet sections and 64 half note or minim beats in all the straight slower section. Swing playing involves playing the eighth notes or quavers in a triplet pattern or context. The swing aspect to the piano playing means that the music has to be approached with a lightness in the hands and arms. In novelty piano music the full range of the 88 note piano keyboard is often explored. The music editor suggests learning this piece in sections subsequently playing whole phrases and sections. The tempo instruction is essentially “play the music as fast as you dare.” The left hand stretches from bar 10 need to be managed by rolling the hand left to right so that the notes sound using a technique borrowed from the contemporary stride piano era. At bar 20 the music editor suggests that the reverse process is in place in that the rolling effect this time is from right to left. Appreciate that the notation of music in all its idioms and styles is sometimes challenging and ambiguous to understand. The 8 bar introduction is played in a straight rhythm. The section from bar 9 to bar 68 is played in a swing style meaning that the music needs to be played with a triplet feel. This is followed by a 4 bar link in straight rhythm preceding a slower section from bar 73 to bar 104 also played without a swing feel. The final section from bar 104 to 144 is again in a swing style returning to the idiom and style of bars 6-65. In context this final section is best considered as a play out quite relevant in the broadcasting of music at the time. The sections played in a swing style need to be approached with a lightness in the hands and stretches need to be managed and practiced. The writing is pianistic meaning that the chord choices and voicing are playable. The chromatic element is also strong. Take note of the tempo changes and dynamic markings because they certainly assist in making a performance manageable. The use of the sustaining pedal is essential when performing this style of music composed at a time when there were many fine piano manufacturers were in business in the UK. The music editor has not been able to source as many recordings of this novelty piece as he anticipated in the preparation of the score. Additionally there is the suggestion that the notated copy of Summer Rain is very much a musical sketch. Interpret some or all of the “sketch” as you wish. Novelty pianists in the 1920 and 1930’s were generally well trained musicians who decided on a career choice to play, arrange and compose music in the many popular music idioms and styles that emerged in the 1920’s and 30’s. Broadcast opportunities, the recording and film industries also provided additional incentives and motivation. Playing through the repertoire of this great period of song writing 1920- 1940’s enabled GIbbons and other contemporary pianists to acquire a unique knowledge of chords and harmonic options and choices available when it came to composing their own music. Carroll Gibbons was a most gifted pianist although other novelty pianists and composers have left more extensive legacies of notated and published music. Carroll Gibbons was an exceptional music performer and he left a rich recording legacy although sadly only a few instrumental pieces were published for piano. The strength of Gibbon’s writing is in the inventiveness of both the rhythmic and melodic elements combined with a nuanced choice of chords. The fully voiced chord choices in the piano writing more than suggest his background as a band leader. His piano touch and technique were unique – he was a quite exceptional musical leader and performer. Carroll Gibbons, although born in America, became a London based pianist and band leader working at the Savoy Hotel and leading the Savoy Opheans. He worked for HMV as Director of Light Music and recorded extensively with a small combo group known as Carroll Gibbons and his Boyfriends. The recording legacy of popular songs of the day features singers Anne Lenner and Hildegarde. He was a wonderful pianist and there are a few clips of his playing can be seen on YouTube.
