Composer

:

Robert Helps

Genre

:

Keyboard

Style

:

Keyboard

Compose Date

:

1957

Average_duration

:

3:08

"Image" is a solo piano composition by American composer Robert Helps. It was composed in 1979 and premiered on October 28, 1979, at the University of California, San Diego. The piece consists of three movements and has a total duration of approximately 15 minutes. The first movement, "Fantasia," is marked by its improvisatory character and free-flowing structure. The music is characterized by a series of contrasting moods and textures, ranging from delicate and introspective to bold and virtuosic. The movement is notable for its use of extended techniques, such as glissandi and clusters, which create a sense of unpredictability and spontaneity. The second movement, "Scherzo," is a lively and playful piece that features rapid, syncopated rhythms and a light, whimsical character. The music is marked by its use of repeated motifs and ostinatos, which create a sense of momentum and energy. The movement is notable for its use of unconventional harmonies and tonalities, which add to its sense of unpredictability and surprise. The final movement, "Elegy," is a slow and mournful piece that features a lyrical, expressive melody. The music is characterized by its use of rich, sonorous harmonies and a sense of introspection and reflection. The movement is notable for its use of rubato and expressive phrasing, which create a sense of emotional depth and intensity. Overall, "Image" is a complex and challenging work that showcases Helps' virtuosic piano writing and innovative approach to composition. The piece is marked by its use of unconventional harmonies, extended techniques, and unpredictable structures, which create a sense of unpredictability and surprise. Despite its technical demands, however, the music is also deeply expressive and emotionally resonant, making it a powerful and compelling work for both performers and audiences alike.

More....