Tempo – It starts off quite slowly and then picks up on the second line and continues at that speed until the quavers in the right hand begin giving the piece a slightly faster feel. Then it slows down again and in a similar time frame picks up again until it drops back to a very slow ending.
Form - After a 4-measure introduction, a theme is presented. This theme is played over a 2-measure ostinato bass, consisting of the chords F# minor, D major, A major, and E major.
Texture – The texture is maximized and minimized by the bass part. At the more textured parts the bass part plays arpeggios of the chords, and in the more minimal sections the bass part is simply just the chords.
Harmony – ‘River Flows In You’ is in the key of A major.
Instruments – It was written for the piano but I have found versions of it being played on the acoustic guitar, the violin, the flute and the harp.
Mood – The mood of the piece is very calm and almost sedative. The chord F# minor is used to give a nice comparison and extenuates the more uplifting parts of the song which use major chords. The differences in dynamics and tempo throughout the piece are quite minimal which I think gives the piece a steady quality. Much like that of a lullaby, which is the most definitive element of this piece for me. I often play this piece to calm myself and everyone I have played this for has fed back a similar impression of the piece.
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