"4 Etudes for Piano" (2009-2013)

"4 Etudes for piano"

           The four etudes for piano you are selected from two sets of etudes all written originally for pianist Lianna Pailodze. The first set was begun in 2008 after a hiatus of intentionally not writing for the piano (as a solo instrument) for nearly 30 years. I had begun composing at age 7 but it had always been my lifelong dream to be a concert pianist instead. This desire had been shattered by my High School band director (and first composition teacher) who while taking me to hear a very dedicated, brilliant, visiting Asian student practicing J.S. Bach’s “Italian Concerto” proceeded to explain to me why I would never be able to achieve the same level of proficiency.

            The four etudes all have differing influences. “Italian Concerto” is obviously a reference to that traumatic moment from High School. In "Clockwork" and "Gear the shadow and influence of Ligeti are undeniable. In both of these two etudes Ligeti’s own fascination with the mechanical (clocks, metronome, machines of fantasy) remains the principal element behind the musical material. “Pandorum” came to me all at once (as if in a dream) late at night after watching the Finnish surreal horror film “Sauna”. It also represents my first effort to try and truly move forward on my own path.