A native of Cleveland, Emerson Whithorne studied in Europe, including the piano with Leschetizky, who had also been Paderewski’s teacher. At some point following his return to the USA in 1915 he gave composition lessons to Richard Hammond, composer of the
Dance found earlier in the volume. Hammond and Whithorne cofounded the Composers’ Music Corporation in New York, specializing in publishing the scores of contemporary composers. Most of Whithorne’s
Hommage is written on four staves. Marked Lento, the theme of this piece is based on a rhythmic motif that incorporates a triplet figure which dominates the opening and closing sections of the work. The solemn, slow-moving pace creates a depressed mood.
from notes by Joseph A Herter © 2011
