London Pieces is a set of three pieces for piano solo composed in 1917–20 by John Ireland. [1]
John Nicholson Ireland was an English composer and teacher of music. The majority of his output consists of piano miniatures and of songs with piano. His best-known works include the short instrumental or orchestral work "The Holy Boy", a setting of the poem "Sea Fever" by John Masefield, a formerly much-played Piano Concerto, the hymn tune Love Unknown and the choral motet "Greater Love Hath No Man".
A performance of all three pieces takes about 11½ minutes. Their titles are: [2] [3] [4] [5]
- Chelsea Reach (6 minutes) [6]
- Ragamuffin
- Soho Forenoons
Chelsea is an affluent area in central London, bounded to the south by the River Thames. A reach is (among other things) a stretch of water. Chelsea Reach is the portion of the River Thames by Chelsea.
Chelsea is an affluent area of West London, bounded to the south by the River Thames. Its frontage runs from Chelsea Bridge along the Chelsea Embankment, Cheyne Walk, Lots Road and Chelsea Harbour. Its eastern boundary was once defined by the River Westbourne, which is now in a pipe above Sloane Square Underground station. The modern eastern boundary is Chelsea Bridge Road and the lower half of Sloane Street, including Sloane Square. To the north and northwest, the area fades into Knightsbridge and Brompton, but it is considered that the area north of King's Road as far northwest as Fulham Road is part of Chelsea.
The River Thames, known alternatively in parts as the Isis, is a river that flows through southern England including London. At 215 miles (346 km), it is the longest river entirely in England and the second longest in the United Kingdom, after the River Severn.
A reach is a length of a stream or river, usually suggesting a level, uninterrupted stretch. The beginning and ending points may be selected for geographic, historical or other reasons – and may be based on landmarks such as gauging stations, river miles, natural features, and topography.
A ragamuffin is a street urchin.
Soho is an area of the City of Westminster, and part of London's West End. The forenoon is the morning.
Soho is an area of the City of Westminster, part of the West End of London. Originally a fashionable district for the aristocracy, it has been one of the main entertainment districts in the capital since the 19th century.
Forenoon is the part of the day between sunrise and noon.
