Composer

:

Frank Martin

Genre

:

Keyboard

Style

:

Etude

Compose Date

:

1956

First Performance

:

Oct 28, 1957

Average_duration

:

18:13

Movement_count

:

5

Movement ....

Études for 2 pianos is a composition by Swiss composer Frank Martin. It was composed between 1940 and 1941 and premiered in 1942 in Zurich, Switzerland. The piece consists of eight movements, each of which is an étude or study in a different musical technique. The first movement, "Prelude," is a slow and contemplative piece that sets the tone for the rest of the work. The second movement, "Chromatic," is a technical study that explores chromaticism and dissonance. The third movement, "Thirds," is a lively and rhythmic piece that focuses on the interval of thirds. The fourth movement, "Sixths," is a slower and more contemplative piece that explores the interval of sixths. The fifth movement, "Octaves," is a technical study that explores the interval of octaves. The sixth movement, "Chords," is a lively and rhythmic piece that focuses on chordal textures. The seventh movement, "Combinations," is a technical study that explores various combinations of notes and rhythms. The final movement, "Perpetuum mobile," is a fast and energetic piece that brings the work to a thrilling conclusion. Overall, Études for 2 pianos is a challenging and virtuosic work that showcases Martin's mastery of various musical techniques. The piece is characterized by its technical complexity, rhythmic vitality, and harmonic richness. It remains a popular work in the piano duo repertoire and is frequently performed in concert halls around the world.

More....