Composer

:

Arnold Schoenberg

Genre

:

Keyboard

Style

:

Suite

Compose Date

:

1911

Average_duration

:

6:33

Movement_count

:

6

Movement ....

Arnold Schoenberg's 'Little Pieces (6) for piano, Op. 19' is a collection of six short pieces for solo piano. The work was composed in 1911 and premiered in Vienna on January 23, 1912, with Schoenberg himself as the pianist. The six movements of the work are as follows: 1. Leicht, zart (Light, delicate) 2. Langsam (Slow) 3. Sehr langsam (Very slow) 4. Rasch, aber leicht (Quick, but light) 5. Etwas rasch (Somewhat quick) 6. Sehr langsam (Very slow) The 'Little Pieces' are characterized by their brevity and economy of means. Each movement is only a few minutes long, and Schoenberg employs a wide range of techniques to create a diverse and expressive set of pieces. The first movement, 'Leicht, zart,' is a delicate and lyrical piece that features a simple, flowing melody in the right hand over a gently pulsing accompaniment in the left. The second movement, 'Langsam,' is a mournful and introspective piece that features a series of slowly unfolding chords and a haunting melody in the upper register of the piano. The third movement, 'Sehr langsam,' is the most experimental of the set, featuring a series of dissonant chords and clusters that gradually build in intensity before dissolving into a quiet, introspective coda. The fourth movement, 'Rasch, aber leicht,' is a playful and energetic piece that features a lively, syncopated rhythm and a series of rapid-fire melodic fragments. The fifth movement, 'Etwas rasch,' is a more subdued and introspective piece that features a series of gently undulating chords and a simple, plaintive melody. The final movement, 'Sehr langsam,' is a quiet and introspective piece that features a series of slowly unfolding chords and a haunting, melancholy melody. Overall, Schoenberg's 'Little Pieces (6) for piano, Op. 19' is a masterful example of his early style, showcasing his innovative use of harmony, rhythm, and form to create a set of expressive and deeply personal pieces for solo piano.

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