If E major were a person, who would he be?
Here's how the Signature Series works:
1. Select a musical key.
2. Gather the most famous melodies composed in that key.
3. Mash up.
4. Meet the person behind the key.
To get to know E major, click on the orange play button.
Follow along with the pop-up comments to find out what composition is playing.
E major: Prince Charming
Also known as:
The Gentleman.
The Wide-eyed Optimist.
E majors you might know:
The Lone Ranger.
Clark Kent.
Westley from The Princess Bride.
The notes: E - F♯- G♯ - A - B - C♯ - D♯ - E.
Number of sharps: four.
Relative minor: C-sharp minor.
What they said about E major in the 19th century:
"Bright and pellucid; adapted to brilliant subjects." – William Gardiner, 1817
"Clear as a bell and joyful. Screaming, bright, burning-yellow." – F.L. Bührlen, 1825
More E major listening:
Salut d'Amour by Edward Elgar.
"The Dance of the Hours" by Amilcare Ponchielli.
The Canadian connection:
"Out of the Game" by Rufus Wainwright.
Editor's note: Historical quotes and translations from A History of Key Characteristics in the 18th and Early 19th Centuries, by Rita Steblin, UMI Research Press (1983).
Related:
The Signature Series on CBC Music
Watch Oscar Shumsky and Glenn Gould play Richard Strauss' Violin Sonata in E major, Op. 18
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