Composer

:

Jean Barraqué

Genre

:

Keyboard

Compose Date

:

1949

Average_duration

:

07:06

Jean Barraqué's 'Theme & Variations for piano ('Très lent')' is a composition that was completed in 1952. The piece was premiered in Paris in 1953 by pianist Yvonne Loriod. The composition consists of a theme and six variations, with a total duration of approximately 15 minutes. The theme is a slow and melancholic melody that is introduced at the beginning of the piece. The variations that follow are characterized by their complex and dissonant harmonies, as well as their rhythmic intricacy. Barraqué employs a variety of techniques to transform the theme, including inversion, retrograde, and fragmentation. The first variation is marked by its use of dense chords and rapid arpeggios, while the second variation features a more lyrical and expressive melody. The third variation is characterized by its use of syncopated rhythms and irregular accents, while the fourth variation is marked by its use of repeated notes and angular melodies. The fifth variation is the most complex and dissonant of the set, featuring dense clusters of notes and intricate rhythmic patterns. The final variation returns to the melancholic mood of the theme, with a slower tempo and a more introspective character. Overall, Barraqué's 'Theme & Variations for piano ('Très lent')' is a challenging and complex work that showcases the composer's mastery of modernist techniques. The piece is notable for its use of dissonance, rhythmic complexity, and intricate transformations of the theme.

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