Score
Surge : for two pianos, eight hands / Peter Myers.
Library shelf no. 785.6214/MYE 1 [Available for loan]
Work Overview
Surge evolves from a melodically descending figure, a mode comprising a palindromic interval sequence. This mode is presented canonically as a quaver figure, a triplet figure and a quintuplet figure, and is constantly rotated through a sequence of transpositions that maximise pitch differentiation to create harmonic movement. The pianos are allocated complementary roles in the musical texture: at any given moment, modes that are presented melodically on one piano are presented harmonically on the other piano. The effect is to add mass to the overall sound. Subtle and frequent tempo changes result in a 'push-pull' rhythmic effect in the first half of the work; and there is an overall, incremental accelerando over the work's duration. Textural density and dynamics also change almost imperceptibly as the work progresses. The underlying idea is to create 'just noticeable differences' of musical parameters that cumulatively result in large-scale changes over the work's duration.
Work Details
Year: 2015
Instrumentation: Two pianos, four pianists.
Duration: 6 min.
Difficulty: Advanced — Polyrhythms, synchronisation of parts
First performance: by Michael Kieran Harvey, Arabella Teniswood-Harvey, Jack Barnes, Jen Yu — 21 Jul 17. Conservatorium Recital Hall, University of Tasmania, Hobart
Performances of this work
21 Jul 17: Conservatorium Recital Hall, University of Tasmania, Hobart. Featuring Michael Kieran Harvey, Arabella Teniswood-Harvey, Jack Barnes, Jen Yu.
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