Composer

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György Kurtág

Genre

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Keyboard

Style

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Keyboard

György Kurtág's 'Pieces (8) for piano, Op. 3' is a collection of eight short pieces for solo piano. The work was composed in 1959 and premiered in Budapest the same year. The eight movements are titled as follows: 1. Hommage à J.S.B. 2. Capriccio 3. In memoriam Béla Bartók 4. Marcia funebre 5. Perpetuum mobile 6. Aria 7. Scherzo 8. Presto The first movement, 'Hommage à J.S.B.', is a tribute to Johann Sebastian Bach and features a contrapuntal texture reminiscent of Bach's music. The second movement, 'Capriccio', is a lively and playful piece with sudden shifts in dynamics and tempo. The third movement, 'In memoriam Béla Bartók', is a somber and reflective piece dedicated to Kurtág's fellow Hungarian composer. The fourth movement, 'Marcia funebre', is a funeral march with a slow and mournful melody. The fifth movement, 'Perpetuum mobile', is a fast and virtuosic piece with a continuous stream of notes that never seems to stop. The sixth movement, 'Aria', is a lyrical and expressive piece with a beautiful melody. The seventh movement, 'Scherzo', is a playful and energetic piece with sudden changes in mood and tempo. The final movement, 'Presto', is a fast and intense piece with a driving rhythm and complex harmonies. Overall, 'Pieces (8) for piano, Op. 3' showcases Kurtág's mastery of the piano and his ability to create a diverse range of moods and textures within a single work. The collection is a significant contribution to the repertoire of contemporary piano music.

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