by Jennifer van Alstyne

What wash of impressionistic sound wave

Waits just behind his ear, waits disjointed

In polyrhythmic energy, released

In vocalized keying of ivory,

Long legs crossed —left over right—peddled foot

Tapping in double-tempoed melody?

‘Maestoso’ is used to suggest a majestic manner of performance, either in mood or speed.

Jennifer van Alstyne is winner of The Glenn Gould Foundation’s Aria of the Goldberg Variations Contest celebrating the 60th anniversary of the 1955 recording of the Goldberg Variations for ‘Maestoso’ and ‘Theme’