Composer

:

Alan Bush

Genre

:

Chamber

Style

:

Etude

Compose Date

:

1947

Average_duration

:

15:41

Movement_count

:

3

Movement ....

Alan Bush's Concert Studies (3), Op. 31 is a set of three pieces for solo piano, composed in 1932. The work was premiered by the pianist Harriet Cohen in London on 22 November 1932. The three movements are titled "Allegro moderato," "Andante," and "Allegro con brio." The first movement, "Allegro moderato," is a lively and energetic piece in 6/8 time. It features a driving rhythm and a playful melody that is passed between the hands. The middle section of the movement is more lyrical, with a slower tempo and a more expressive melody. The movement ends with a return to the opening material, building to a dramatic conclusion. The second movement, "Andante," is a slower and more contemplative piece. It begins with a simple, melancholy melody in the right hand, accompanied by a gentle arpeggio in the left. The melody is then developed and expanded upon, with the left hand taking on a more prominent role. The middle section of the movement features a more complex and dissonant harmony, before returning to the opening material for a peaceful and introspective conclusion. The final movement, "Allegro con brio," is a fast and virtuosic piece that showcases the pianist's technical abilities. It features a driving rhythm and a lively melody that is passed between the hands. The middle section of the movement is more lyrical, with a slower tempo and a more expressive melody. The movement ends with a return to the opening material, building to a dramatic and exciting conclusion. Overall, Concert Studies (3), Op. 31 is a challenging and rewarding work for pianists. It showcases Alan Bush's skill as a composer, with its inventive melodies, complex harmonies, and virtuosic passages. The work is a testament to Bush's commitment to modernism and his desire to push the boundaries of traditional classical music.

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