Composer

:

Galina Ustvolskaya

Genre

:

Keyboard

Style

:

Prelude

Compose Date

:

1953

Average_duration

:

19:46

Galina Ustvolskaya's "Preludes (12) for piano" is a collection of twelve short pieces for solo piano. The work was composed in 1953 and premiered in Leningrad (now St. Petersburg) in the same year. The preludes are characterized by their stark, uncompromising style, which is typical of Ustvolskaya's music. The preludes are organized into three groups of four, with each group having its own distinct character. The first group is marked by its use of dense, dissonant chords and angular melodies. The second group is more introspective, with slower tempos and more lyrical melodies. The third group is the most extreme, with violent, percussive chords and frenzied rhythms. Throughout the preludes, Ustvolskaya makes use of unconventional techniques, such as playing with the fists or forearms, to create a harsh, percussive sound. The music is often repetitive, with short motifs repeated over and over again, creating a sense of relentless intensity. Despite their brevity, the preludes are emotionally charged and deeply expressive. They are a testament to Ustvolskaya's uncompromising artistic vision and her commitment to creating music that is both challenging and deeply moving.

More....