Passacaille for piano

12 pages , 21 x 29,7 cm

Piano

See digital edition
€14.00 VAT included
DLT1453


The somber-toned theme, traditionally exposed alone in the base line, meanders through multiple keys: F minor, Eb minor, Db major, (F minor), Bb minor, Gb major, Eb major. Per tradition, it is made up of eight measures, of which the first four descend towards the dominant and the last four ascend towards the tonic. Measures four and six each contain a rhythmical irregularity, which can later be found in the majority of the variations. Throughout this piece, the harmonic climate aims to make the Gb (the minor 9th, the quintessential dissonance) come across as consonant with the F minor harmony, like a sort of “sweet pain”.

The work, which presents the theme in thirty variations, is divided into five well-defined sections:

(1-6) The exposition

(7-14) The first development, interrupted by a re-exposition of the linearly expanded theme, is concluded by an expressive counter-theme (14)

(15-20) A more chaotic section, which leads to an ostinato pedal tone in the medium register, creates in turn a “royal counterpoint”

(21-25) Begins with the most expanded version of the theme followed by a second development section (deciso), which concludes by buckling under its own weight. (26-30)

A final pedal tone (coda) where the counter theme from the upper registers of variation 14 appears in the bass (27) is interrupted by a call to order issued by a second “royal counterpoint”. Then the final exposition, identical to the first, arrives, but surrounded this time in a halo of dissonant droplets.

Premiered by Giancarlo Crespeau in 2001 during the Journées Poenix, and later recorded by Pierre-Alain Volondant for the radio show Alla Breve of France Musique the following year, the Passacaille was also transcribed by the Ensemble Millésime (whose instrumentation corresponds to Stravinsky’s Soldier’s Tale septet), directed by Marc Korovitch.

Duration : 00:12:25
Material : Score
Date of publication : 2015
Style : Contemporary
Code EAN : 9790232111711
Level : (4/8) Medium
Output format : Printed format

Customers who bought this product also bought:

Product added to wishlist