Composer

:

Luigi Nono

Genre

:

Keyboard

Style

:

Electronic Music

Compose Date

:

1976

Average_duration

:

14:10

'...sofferte onde serene…' is a composition for piano and tape by Italian composer Luigi Nono. It was composed in 1976 and premiered on October 8, 1976, in Venice, Italy. The title of the piece translates to "calm waves suffered" and is taken from a sonnet by Italian poet Petrarch. The composition consists of three movements, each of which is characterized by a different approach to the relationship between the piano and the tape. The first movement, marked "molto sostenuto," features the piano playing long sustained notes while the tape provides a background of electronic sounds. The second movement, marked "molto vivace," is more rhythmic and features the piano playing fast, staccato notes while the tape provides a pulsing, rhythmic accompaniment. The third movement, marked "molto sostenuto," returns to the slow, sustained style of the first movement, but with a more complex interplay between the piano and tape. One of the most notable characteristics of '...sofferte onde serene…' is the use of electronic tape as an integral part of the composition. Nono was a pioneer in the use of electronic music, and in this piece, he uses the tape to create a rich, complex sonic environment that interacts with the piano in a variety of ways. The tape includes recordings of the piano itself, as well as other sounds such as bells, voices, and electronic tones. Another characteristic of the piece is its use of extended techniques on the piano. Nono instructs the pianist to play with a variety of unconventional techniques, such as playing on the strings inside the piano, using the pedal to create sustained harmonics, and playing with the lid of the piano closed. Overall, '...sofferte onde serene…' is a complex and challenging work that explores the relationship between acoustic and electronic sound, as well as the possibilities of the piano as an instrument. Its premiere was met with critical acclaim, and it has since become a staple of the contemporary piano repertoire.

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