Piano Variations
(2002)
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Premiere
21 June 2005
Bloomingdale School of Music, New York City, NY
Marc Peloquin, piano
Bloomingdale School of Music, New York City, NY
Marc Peloquin, piano
Instrumentation
solo piano
Duration
7'
Program Note
1. feroce 2. esitando 3. leggiero
4. nevrotico 5. leggerissimo 6. brutale
7. legato 8. lontanamente
4. nevrotico 5. leggerissimo 6. brutale
7. legato 8. lontanamente
The Piano Variations were commissioned by Ralph Berkowitz, longtime accompanist of Piatigorksy and former Dean of the Berkshire Music Center at Tanglewood. They were composed over a period of two years. Described by Hagen's publisher as 'by turns driving, mysterious, vivacious and visionary, the eight variations in Piano Variations exploit the range and sorority of the piano with expertise and understanding.'
Hagen's use of dissonance is higher than is customary for him in this introspective, technically challenging, and intellectually uncompromising piece. The first three variations were written in Austin, Texas, during the first production there of the opera Bandanna. Variations 4-6 were composed at Yaddo, and the last two variations were completed in New York City on 6 November 2002. The composer has inscribed them 'to Ralph Berkowitz, on his 90th birthday.'
Hagen's use of dissonance is higher than is customary for him in this introspective, technically challenging, and intellectually uncompromising piece. The first three variations were written in Austin, Texas, during the first production there of the opera Bandanna. Variations 4-6 were composed at Yaddo, and the last two variations were completed in New York City on 6 November 2002. The composer has inscribed them 'to Ralph Berkowitz, on his 90th birthday.'
--- Bill Rhoads, 2003