For Solo Piano. Par LASH HANNAH. Pianist Lisa Moore has an extraordinary charism...(+)
For Solo Piano. Par LASH HANNAH. Pianist Lisa Moore has an extraordinary charisma and energy at her instrument, with a kind of musical laser focus that I find tremendously inspiring. I wanted to write her a set of pieces that would play to her wonderful range and character as a performer. So I decided to write pieces in the spirit of etudes: each focuses on a different type of playing or technique or pianistic color. There is one odd piece out: the 'dream,' which is in no way an etude. This 'dream' came about when I was looking after Lisa's petunias while she was away from home. Unfortunately, her petunias languished and died. Feeling very bad, I wrote a piece to commemorate the poor flowers that had perished in my care. The set of pieces as a whole is playful, energetic, and sometimes dark and contemplative. It is a work which reflects my deep admiration for Lisa's musicianship and playing. Hannah Lash/ Etude / Piano
Par SPEARS GREGORY. Troika is a Russian word meaning “set of three” or a “...(+)
Par SPEARS GREGORY. Troika is a Russian word meaning “set of three” or a “sled pulled by three horses.” In many places in the score there are three rhythmic layers working at different speeds to create a sense of forward motion. Sometimes these layers create a sense of a headlong rush, at other points the music glides along gently. The pianist may find places in the score that evoke other aspects of a troika ride: the winter wind, snow flurries, sleigh bells, horses galloping in tandem, bumps in the path, stars, or perhaps even a moonrise. The work is in three sections with a final coda that repeats material from the opening.
Pedaling guidelines are included at various points in the piece. Performers may wish to nuance these in order to fit their individual interpretation.
– Gregory Spears / Niveau : Avancé / Répertoire / Piano