Composer

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György Kurtág

Genre

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Keyboard

Style

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Character Piece

Average_duration

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2:00

György Kurtág's 'Piano Pieces (8), Op. 3: No. 2, Calmo' is a solo piano work that was composed in 1959. The piece was premiered in Budapest in the same year by the composer himself. 'Calmo' is the second movement of the eight-piece set, and it is characterized by its slow and tranquil nature. The piece is written in a free form, with no clear time signature or bar lines. The music is marked by a sense of stillness and introspection, with sparse and delicate notes that create a sense of space and silence. The piece begins with a series of soft and gentle chords, which are repeated throughout the movement. These chords are interspersed with short melodic fragments, which are played with a delicate touch. The music gradually builds in intensity, with the chords becoming more complex and the melodic fragments becoming more frequent. Despite the increasing complexity, the overall mood of the piece remains calm and introspective. The music is marked by a sense of restraint and understatement, with Kurtág using silence and space to create a sense of tension and release. 'Calmo' is a prime example of Kurtág's unique style, which is characterized by its economy of means and its focus on the smallest details of sound and expression. The piece is a masterful exploration of the possibilities of the piano, and it showcases Kurtág's ability to create a powerful emotional impact with the simplest of means.

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