Dimos Stephanidis
"Boulez" - Variations for Piano I
Duration: 30'
Solos:
piano
"Boulez" - Variations for Piano I
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Work introduction
The "Boulez - Variations" for piano is a large cycle in twelve books. Each book has as its theme a notation (piano version) by Pierre Boulez.
It is the largest and most demanding work I have written so far. It includes everything I have learned or heard in my life.
The subject of the first book is the first notation. It is followed, as in every book, by twelve variations and a fugue.
The term 'variation' must be understood as a piece that consists of elements of the theme in a pre-determined order.
There is also nothing in common with classical variation. A very characteristic element in all twelve books is counterpoint.
There are several small fughettas and each cycle ends with a large fugue. Terms like fughetta or fugue is here synonymous with intimacy.
A variation is created by the harmonic or melodic use of the thematic material. Nevertheless, each variation is an independent piece that is is not similar to any other variation. The musical language of the variations has nothing in common with the theme, thus the notation.
I chose the twelve notations by Pierre Boulez because they are not only great little pieces, but they are also very well suited for a variation work. It was also a question of respect and reverence for the great Master.
Dimos Stephanidis