Composer

:

John McCabe

Genre

:

Keyboard

Style

:

Keyboard

Compose Date

:

1969

Average_duration

:

8:27

John McCabe's 'Study No. 2 Sostenuto' is a solo piano piece that was composed in 1965. The piece was premiered by the composer himself in the same year. It is a part of a set of six studies that McCabe composed during the 1960s. The piece is characterized by its slow and sustained tempo, which is indicated by the term 'sostenuto' in the title. The piece is also marked by its use of dissonant harmonies and angular melodies, which create a sense of tension and unease throughout the work. The piece is divided into three movements, each of which explores different aspects of the sostenuto character. The first movement is marked by its use of sustained chords and arpeggios, which create a sense of stasis and stillness. The second movement is more active, with a faster tempo and more complex rhythms. The final movement returns to the slow and sustained character of the first movement, but with a more complex harmonic language that creates a sense of resolution and closure. Overall, 'Study No. 2 Sostenuto' is a challenging and complex work that showcases McCabe's skill as a composer and pianist. Its use of dissonance and angular melodies creates a sense of tension and unease, while its slow and sustained tempo creates a sense of stillness and contemplation. The piece is a testament to McCabe's ability to create works that are both technically demanding and emotionally powerful.

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