Composer

:

Peter Sculthorpe

Genre

:

Keyboard

Style

:

Keyboard

Compose Date

:

1980

Average_duration

:

5:04

'Mountains for piano' is a solo piano work composed by Australian composer Peter Sculthorpe in 1979. The piece was premiered by pianist Roger Woodward in the same year at the Sydney Opera House. The work is divided into four movements, each of which is inspired by the Australian landscape. The first movement, titled "Kakadu," is named after the national park in the Northern Territory of Australia. It is characterized by a slow, meditative melody that is repeated throughout the movement, evoking the stillness and vastness of the landscape. The second movement, "Night," is a stark contrast to the first. It is a fast and frenetic piece that represents the chaos and danger of the Australian outback at night. The third movement, "Jabiru Dreaming," is named after the Jabiru bird, which is native to the Kakadu region. It is a slow and contemplative piece that features a haunting melody played in the upper register of the piano. The final movement, "From Oceania," is a tribute to the vastness of the Pacific Ocean. It is a slow and majestic piece that features a simple melody played in the lower register of the piano, accompanied by a series of arpeggios that represent the ebb and flow of the ocean. Overall, 'Mountains for piano' is a beautiful and evocative work that showcases Sculthorpe's unique style, which is characterized by a deep connection to the Australian landscape and a focus on melody and harmony. The piece has become a staple of the Australian classical music repertoire and is widely regarded as one of Sculthorpe's most important works.

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