F-sharp minor
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| Relative key | A major |
|---|---|
| Parallel key | F♯ major |
| Component pitches | |
| F♯, G♯, A, B, C♯, D, E, F♯ | |
| Qualities | |
F-sharp minor is a minor scale based on F-sharp, consisting of the pitches F♯, G♯, A, B, C♯, D, and E. For the harmonic minor, the E is raised to E♯. Its key signature has three sharps (see below: Scales and keys).
Its relative major is A major, and its parallel major is F-sharp major.
Changes needed for the melodic and harmonic versions of the scale are written in with accidentals as necessary.
Very few symphonies are written in this key, Haydn's Farewell Symphony being one famous example. George Frederick Bristow and Dora Pejačević also wrote symphonies in this key.
The few concerti written in this key are usually premiere concerti written for the composer himself to play, including Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 1, Scriabin's Piano Concerto, Wieniawski's Violin Concerto No. 1, Vieuxtemps's Violin Concerto No. 2, and Koussevitzky's Double Bass Concerto.
In addition to the Farewell Symphony, Haydn's Piano Trio No. 40 (Hob. XV:26) and String Quartet Op. 50, No. 4 are in F-sharp minor.
Mozart's only composition in this key is the second movement to his Piano Concerto No. 23 in A major.[1]
Contents |
Music in F♯ minor [edit]
Classical [edit]
- Shostakovich - Prelude and Fugue No. 8, Op. 87
- Chopin - Mazurka No. 3, Op. 59
- Scriabin - Piano Concerto, Op. 20
- Haydn - Symphony No. 45, Farewell Symphony
- Rachmaninoff - Piano Concerto No. 1, Op. 1
- Henryk Wieniawski - Violin Concerto No. 1, Op. 14
- Telemann - Fantasy for Solo Flute No. 10
- Brahms - Piano Sonata No. 2, Op. 2
- Chopin - Polonaise in F-sharp minor, Op. 44
- Rachmaninoff - Prelude in F-sharp minor No. 1, Op. 23
- Fauré - Pavane, Op. 50
- George Frederick Bristow - Symphony in F-sharp minor Op. 26
- Frederic Chopin - Nocturne Op. 48 No. 2
- Alexander Glazunov - Symphony No. 2
- Robert Schumann - Piano Sonata No. 1 Op. 11
Popular [edit]
- Earth, Wind & Fire - September[2]
- Golden Earring - Radar Love[3]
- Steely Dan - Hey Nineteen[4]
- Jefferson Airplane - White Rabbit[5]
- Ozzy Osbourne - Crazy Train
- Toto - Hold the Line
- Europe - The Final Countdown
- Lana Del Rey - Video Games
- Pink Floyd - Time
- Atoms for Peace - Default
- Michael Jackson - Billie Jean
- Billy Talent - Try Honesty
- Pantera - This Love
- Jessie J - Who You Are
- Led Zeppelin - Immigrant Song
Characteristics [edit]
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This section does not cite any references or sources. (March 2011) |
- Johann Mattheson, in 1713, wrote "F♯ minor, although it leads to great distress, nevertheless is more languid and love-sick than lethal. Moreover, it has something abandoned, singular, and misanthropic about it." On a similar theme, Harry Farjeon wrote that it is the key that Mendelssohn uses when being passionate.[citation needed]
- We cannot well accompany the Devil in any key but F♯ minor – Anon. 1828
- Heavy metal guitarist Michael Angelo Batio has cited this key and F sharp phrygian dominant as his favourite. He has described F-sharp minor as a "demonic" key, giving a dark, evil sound.
- According to The Gregory Brothers, this is the most demeaning and elitist key.
Scales and keys [edit]
| Diatonic scales and keys | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| The table indicates the number of sharps or flats in each scale. Minor scales are written in lower case. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
References [edit]
- ^ p. 30 Hopkins London (1964) n. 1 Anthony Talking About Concertos Heinemann
- ^ musicnotes.com
- ^ musicnotes.com
- ^ musicnotes.com
- ^ musicnotes.com
- A. Morris, "Symphonies, Numbers And Keys" in Bob's Poetry Magazine, III.3, 2006.
